Blessed Laura Montoya y Upegui
Blessed Laura Montoya y Upegui (born May 26, 1874 AD in Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia; died October 21, 1949 AD in Medellín, Colombia) was a Colombian religious sister, educator, and missionary, the founder of the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Saint Catherine of Siena (the Lauritas), dedicated to the evangelization and human advancement of the indigenous peoples. Beatified in 2004, she was canonized by Pope Francis in 2013 as the first saint of Colombia and is now venerated as Saint Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena. Her feast day is October 21.
Known in religion as Mother Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, she left the life of a schoolteacher to go and live among the indigenous peoples of the Colombian forests, learning their languages and cultures and defending their dignity. Her congregation spread the mission across the Americas and beyond.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Laura Montoya y Upegui
| Blessed Laura Montoya y Upegui | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 21 |
| Profession | Religious sister; educator; missionary; founder of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Saint Catherine of Siena |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Saint Catherine of Siena (Lauritas) |
| Patronage | Colombia; indigenous peoples; missionaries; catechists; those who defend the marginalized |
| Attributes | Religious habit; indigenous peoples of the Americas; missionary work |
| Birthplace | Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia |
| Death Place | Medellín, Colombia |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; religious founder and missionary to the indigenous peoples of Colombia; died at Medellín |
| Primary Shrine | Medellín, Colombia |
Biography
Early life
Laura Montoya y Upegui was born on May 26, 1874, at Jericó in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. Her father was killed in one of Colombia's civil wars when she was a small child, leaving the family in poverty. Laura grew up in hardship and had to support herself, training and working as a schoolteacher.
Vocation to the missions
As a teacher she developed a deep interior life and a great desire to make God known, especially to those who had never heard the Gospel. She was drawn in particular to the indigenous peoples of the Colombian forests, who lived largely outside the reach of the Church and were often despised and exploited. She came to see the evangelization and human defense of these peoples as her vocation.
Founder of the Lauritas
In 1914, with a small group of companions and the support of the local bishop, Laura set out for Dabeiba, in the wilds of Antioquia, to live among the indigenous people. There she founded the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Saint Catherine of Siena, whose sisters came to be known as the Lauritas. Taking the name Mother Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, she and her sisters learned the languages and customs of the peoples they served, lived among them, catechized them, cared for their health and education, and defended their dignity and rights.
The congregation grew rapidly and spread from Colombia to other countries of the Americas. Laura wrote extensively on the spiritual life and on the missions, including her autobiography.
Final years and canonization
In her later years Mother Laura was confined by illness to a wheelchair, but she continued to guide her congregation. She died at Medellín on October 21, 1949.
She was beatified on April 25, 2004, by Pope John Paul II, and canonized on May 12, 2013, by Pope Francis—the first person born in Colombia to be declared a saint. She is now venerated as Saint Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena. Her feast is kept on October 21.
Significant events
- 1874 — Born at Jericó, Antioquia, on May 26.
- Works for years as a schoolteacher.
- 1914 — Sets out for Dabeiba and founds the Missionary Sisters (Lauritas).
- 1949 — Dies at Medellín on October 21.
- 2004 — Beatified by Pope John Paul II.
- 2013 — Canonized by Pope Francis on May 12, first saint of Colombia.
Significant locations
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Feast day
October 21
Books
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- *Historia de las misericordias de Dios en un alma* (autobiography)
- Spiritual and missionary writings and letters
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