Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus

I was born on 15 June, 1843 in Lisbon, Portugal in a noble family. I received baptism on 2 September of the same year. My mother died of cholera and my father of yellow fever and as a consequence I was orphaned at the age of 14. I discovered that I had a deep desire to lead a religious life consecrated to God. I joined the Capuchin Sisters in 1867. Three years later I was sent to France as a novice. I returned to Portugal and after my solemn profession I founded a new religious congregation. It was approved by the Holy See in 1876. I died on 2 December, 1899.