Laura del Carmen was born in Santiago, Chile, on April 5, 1891, to Jose Domingo Vicuna who was from a distinguished family and Mercedes Pino who was high-spirited and beautiful.
He was a military officer, and they were forced out by the revolution. With very little, and on horseback, they took refuge in Temuco. Laura’s sister was born and her father died of illness. The region wasn’t safe, and the 3 joined a caravan to Argentina.
After moving several times looking for security, her mother met and desperately clung to a wealthy ranch owner, Manuel Mora. He was charming with her but ruthless to others. When of age he paid for the girls to attend a new Catholic boarding school away in town.
Laura knew her mother lived a sinful life and loathed the site of Manuel and sought refuge in prayer. At the age of 12, Manuel began making advances towards Laura, but she called on the Blessed Virgin for help, fought him off, and humiliated him. He would then take his anger out on her mother. His anger grew and he vowed for the girls to become ranch hands but Sisters at the school agreed to house and teach Laura for free.
She returned and longed to consecrate herself to God by a religious vow.
She sensed her mother becoming a victim of abuse and remembered the phrase of Jesus, “No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friend”. She then approached Fr Crestanello, and at the foot of the altar broke into joyful tears as she offered herself as a victim to Jesus and Mary for the salvation of her mother’s soul. The priest found in her the makings of a martyr and after some time, consented.
Immediately her health declined and she began to fade. They restricted her work and studies and sent her to bed early. Her mother came and found her seriously ill, thin, and striking. She opted to take her home for care even though the nuns dreaded it. Manual despised her return.
They sought the doctor who thought it was a form of tuberculosis. Regardless, she found enough strength to attend Mass every day.
Manuel had arrived home intoxicated and mean spirited. Laura asked her mom to leave but when she remained, Laura began packing for herself to return to school. Manuel beat her severely. Battered and ill, she was confined to bed. She began coughing blood and a priest was called for last rites.
She told her mother, “I am dying. I asked this of Jesus, and I offered my life to Him for you, that you might return to God.” Her mother sobbing, promised to repent, and Laura died that night on January 22, 1904.
At the Requiem Mass for Laura, her mother received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion and told the priest she would not return to Manuel’s ranch. Manual threatened her with death, but the town’s women hid and protected her until she was able to escape with her daughter, Julia, in a caravan.
For God’s Glory.
