Isabel Larrañaga Ramírez

Venerable Isabel Ramirez was born in Manila, Philippines, on 19 November 1836, to Juan Andres Ma. de Larranaga (the Military Governor of Manila at that time) and Isabel Ramirez Patino. Her father was from Spain, and her mother was born of Spanish descent in Lima, Peru.[1] She was the youngest of ten children. Her parents were Spanish and she was a Filipina by birth and by virtue of citizenship. She was baptized in San Miguel de Arcangel in Malacanang 30 days after her birth.

After the death of her father died in 1838, her mother returned to Spain with the children. Isabel spent her childhood and early adolescence in Madrid and in Lima. Her mother ensured that Isabel received a good education, learning music, painting, and languages (French, English, and Italian).[1]

In 1855, Isabel accompanied her mother and brother, Francisco Adrian, to Lima, Peru. There, the eighteen-year-old Isabel became a teacher and engaged in charity work. She visited patients in hospitals, and became a catechist for children and young people.[1] Seven years later, she and her mother went back to Spain, and they resided in Madrid.

In 1894 Mother Isabel sent a religious expedition to Cuba in spite of the delicate political situation during that time. During her second trip to Cuba, she suffered from heart problems which were aggravated with sufferings from the war, which eventually led to her death on January 17, 1899. She left a flourishing institute that, after her death, has extended on the following nations: Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Peru, and Chile.

On 17 December 1982 her beatification cause was formally opened by Pope John Paul II; thereby, bestowing upon her the title of "Servant of God Isabel Larrañaga Ramírez" ("Isabel of the Heart of Jesus"). Seventeen years later on 26 March 1999, Servant of God Ramirez was elevated to venerable by Pope John Paul II.

• newsaints.faithweb website
• www.archimadrid.es