María Guadalupe García Zavala was born on April 27, 1878 in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, to Fortino García and Refugio Zavala de García.

As a child she was known for her piety and made frequent visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, which was located next to the religious goods shop run by her father. Her love for God was particularly demonstrated in her love for the poor. With uncommon transparency and simplicity, María treated everyone with equal love and respect.

Although as a young woman she planned to marry Gustavo Arreola, she suddenly broke off her engagement when she was 23 years old. The reason: María "understood" that Jesus was calling her to love him with an undivided heart as part of the religious life, "No' to matrimony, "yes' to Jesus. She fully believed that she was called to do this by giving assistance to the poor and sick.

When María confided to her spiritual director, Fr Cipriano Iñiguez, her "sudden change of heart", he told her that for some time he had the inspiration to found a religious congregation that would provide assistance to the hospitalized. He invited María to join him in this foundation. The new Congregation, which officially began on October 13, 1901, was known as the "Handmaids of St Margaret Mary (Alacoque) and the Poor".

"Poor with the poor"

@Evangelizo