Maria Soledad

Who was Maria Soledad?

Saint Maria Soledad, the second child of five of Francisco Torres and Antonia Acosta, was born in Madrid on December 2, 1826, and baptized Bibiana Antonia Emanuela. Her parents ran a small business in Madrid. She was educated by the Daughters of Charity and often visited the sick in her neighborhood, performing small penances for the benefit of others. She wanted to become a nun but was unsuccessful in entering the Dominican community because of her poor health. In 1851, she was asked by a parish priest, a member of the Third Order of the Servites, Fr. Michael Martinez y Sanz, to minister to the sick poor of his parish in their homes. On August 15, 1851, with six companions she began this ministry, taking the name Maria Soledad.

In 1856, Fr. Michael took six of the twelve sisters with him to the missions in Fernando Po, leaving Maria Soledad as superior. The remaining sisters removed her from this office. This move disorganized the community and the bishop threatened to dissolve it. After an examination by the bishop, Maria Soledad was re-appointed and, with the help of the new director, Fr. Gabino Sanchez, an Augustinian, they continued their work. At this time they named their community the "Handmaids of Mary Serving the Sick." The bishop gave his formal approval of their ministry and expanded their work to include the care of the young delinquents of Madrid. The dedication of the sisters was brought to the attention of the public by their care of the sick during the cholera epidemic of 1865.