She was a missionary who devoted her life to the care of abandoned children and founded the order of the Sisters of Mariana de Jesús.

Mercedes de Jesús Molina was born on 24 September 1828 in Baba, Los Ríos Province, Ecuador.

[1] A bad fall from a horse brought about her conversion to absolute piety and strict penance.

[2] She did this first as mother and teacher to orphans in Guayaquil then in Cuenca,[2] where she shared a home with Narcisa de Jesús.

Mercedes's cause was formally opened on 8 February 1946, granting her the title of Servant of God.