Born into a large family of mountain farmers in Italy, Maria developed a strong work ethic and was raised in the Catholic faith. She desired to enter religious life at a young age, but her father initially refused. Out of obedience, Maria waited until she was 21 years old to pursue her vocation.
At the onset of WWI, she was trained as a Red Cross nurse. She became proficient in many medical fields, which came in handy when she was called to join the Salesians as a missionary.
After surviving a huge storm through the intercession of Our Lady, Maria promised to dedicate her life as a missionary. She requested to be sent to serve lepers, but God had a different plan. She was sent to bring the faith and share the love of God with the people of Ecuador.
As soon as Maria arrived, she had an opportunity to win favor with the Shuar tribe. She encountered the daughter of the chief, who had suffered a nearly fatal wound from a bullet. With her background in the Red Cross, Maria was able to save the girl’s life and, from that moment onward, was regarded with high esteem by the whole tribe – affectionately known by all as “Madrecita.”
To the people of Ecuador, she was a nurse, surgeon, orthopedist, dentist, anesthesiologist, and (most of all) a catechist. Over the years, Madrecita worked in hospitals, mothered missions, and made frequent visits into the dense forest to care for the body and soul of anyone she encountered.
Her mission came to a sudden end when her plane crashed, but the seeds of faith she planted continue to grow.