Santa Laura Montoya: Colombia's first saint and patron of the marginalized

The Catholic Church commemorates Santa Laura de Santa Catalina de Siena (1874–1949), known as Madre Laura, the first Colombian saint. Born in Jericó, Antioquia, her early life was shaped by the poverty and loss following her father's death during the Colombian Civil War.

After training as a teacher in Medellín, Montoya transitioned from her desire to join a cloistered Carmelite order to a life of active missionary work. She dedicated herself to evangelizing indigenous populations in regions such as San Pedro de Urabá and El Sarare, advocating for their dignity at a time when they faced significant social marginalization.

She founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Saint Catherine of Siena. Canonized by Pope Francis on May 12, 2013, she is recognized as a patron for those facing discrimination.