The Early Life of St. Maria Grady

St. Maria Grady was born in October 1890 in Coronado, Italy, to a family of farm workers. She was the third of seven children and experienced severe poverty, which intensified after her family had to give up their farm when she was five. Tragically, at the age of nine, her father died from malaria, compelling Maria to support her mother and siblings by managing household chores while they worked in the fields. This challenging upbringing fostered a sense of responsibility and maturity in Maria, shaping her remarkable character from a young age.