St. Maria Micaela Desmaisières – Founder of the Sisters Adorers

ST. MARIA MICAELA DESMAISIERES

St. Maria Micaela Desmaisières was a Spanish noblewoman who devoted her life to helping marginalized women and founded the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament.

Born on January 1, 1809, in Madrid, Spain, Maria Micaela Desmaisières y López de Dicastillo was raised in a noble family and surrounded by wealth, privilege, and strong Catholic values. Though she lived in comfort, from a young age she demonstrated a deep concern for the poor and a desire to live a life of holiness. Educated and intelligent, she became known for her gracious demeanor and social influence.

In her early adulthood, Maria was active in charitable works, but a turning point came in 1844 when she visited a hospital in Madrid that served women suffering from venereal diseases—many of whom were prostitutes. She was overwhelmed by their suffering and even more by their spiritual abandonment. This visit awakened a life-defining call: to restore dignity and hope to women trapped in cycles of exploitation and sin.

She began visiting regularly, offering care and guidance. However, she quickly realized that lasting change required a dedicated community. In 1856, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers, Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity (commonly known as the Adorers), with the dual mission of Eucharistic adoration and rescue work with marginalized women. The order emphasized prayer, dignity, and personal transformation, grounding all their outreach in the love of Christ present in the Eucharist.

Maria Micaela’s work was controversial in her time. She faced opposition both from secular authorities and even within the Church, as many questioned her decision to personally associate with outcasts of society. Yet, her courage, humility, and deep faith allowed her to persevere. She was also a mystic and maintained a profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, which she saw as the heart of her mission.

In 1865, during a cholera outbreak in Valencia, she contracted the disease while tending to the sick and died on August 24 of that year, offering her life in service to others. Her congregation continues her legacy today in over 20 countries, serving women and children in crisis.

Feast Day

15-6-

Birth Date

1-1-1809

Died Date

24-8-1865

Canonised Date

4-12-1934

Madrid, Spain

St. Maria Micaela, you saw Christ in the wounded and forgotten. Help us to serve with courage and compassion, and to adore the Lord with our hearts and actions. Inspire us to bring dignity where it has been lost and hope where it is most needed. Pray for us to love without judgment and to trust in the power of mercy. Amen.
ST. MARIA MICAELA DESMAISIERES

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ST. MARIA MICAELA DESMAISIERES

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