María de Cervelló (1230–1260)

Biography

She was a young woman from an illustrious family, born in the seaside neighborhood of Barcelona, and from childhood she showed signs of unusual piety; She refused to marry, took a vow of chastity and retired to a convent in the shadow of the Church of La Merced, also very close to the sea that the Mercedarians crossed to redeem captives in African lands. Somewhat later, the Merced branch for women was founded, and María was the first Mercedarian and the first superior in the Barcelona convent. Until she died, her outward history is that of a nun with a reputation for good government and eminent virtues. But his legend says that without leaving his convent, he saved many ships from perishing and many captives were redeemed by the power of his prayer. She is always represented with a ship in her hands: she was the holy sailor who never embarked.