She was born María Luisa de la Peña y Navarro on June 21, 1866[1] in Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, the third (and first surviving) of fourteen children.
On June 24, 1927, María Luisa and two other nuns sought refuge in Los Angeles, California from the religious persecutions in Mexico at that time.
After two years in the United States, María Luisa returned to Guadalajara,[3] where she continued her work of providing healthcare for the poor.
(Written during the religious persecution in Mexico; permission to download granted by the Sisters)[6] On July 1, 2000 Pope John Paul II promulgated that María Luisa be called venerable, which means that it has been proven that she practiced her virtues to a heroic degree.
[8][9] María Luisa Joséfa of the Most Blessed Sacrament is the designated patron of the Santa Clara, CA convent of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara.