Laura Vicuña (1891–1904) was a Chilean girl and devout Catholic known for her piety, courage, and self-sacrificial love. Born in Santiago, Chile, Laura’s father died when she was young, leaving her mother, Mercedes, to struggle to provide for the family. They moved to Argentina, where Mercedes entered into an irregular relationship with a man named Manuel Mora, whose immoral lifestyle deeply troubled Laura. At a young age, Laura began attending a school run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters), where she grew in her faith and developed a deep devotion to prayer, the Eucharist, and the Virgin Mary.

While living at the school, Laura resolved to become a nun and offered her prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of her mother. She suffered greatly from the abusive and sinful behavior of Mora, who sought to harm her purity. Despite her young age, Laura’s spiritual maturity and love for Christ were evident in her willingness to endure suffering for the sake of others. Her health began to deteriorate after she offered her life to God for her mother’s salvation. Laura’s ultimate act of love was her offering to die so her mother might be freed from sin and reconciled with God.

Laura died on January 22, 1904, at just 12 years old, surrounded by the Salesian Sisters and her mother. Before she passed, she assured her mother of her forgiveness and urged her to return to the faith. Deeply moved, Mercedes repented and left Mora, fulfilling her daughter’s dying wish. Laura was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 1988, who praised her as a model of purity, sacrifice, and filial love. Today, Blessed Laura Vicuña is honored as a patron of abuse victims and a powerful example of holiness in youth.