Sr. Maria De Guadalupe Diaz’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and boundless generosity. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she began her education in public school but left during ninth grade to take a housekeeping course designed for young women seeking work in the U.S. “I finished the course,” she recalls, “but I was not happy about coming to the States.” Encouraged by friends, she enrolled at Academia Monseñor Willinger, where she not only earned her diploma but also discovered her calling to religious life.
For 70 years, Sr. Guadalupe has poured her heart into serving others as a Sister of St. Francis. Her ministry has taken her across the country—from the east to the west coast, as well as her beloved Puerto Rico—where she has dedicated herself to education, parish ministry, and vocation work. But among her many gifts, one of her most cherished is her talent as a seamstress.
“Sewing has been part of my life since I was a child,” she shares, and that gift has become a source of joy for her fellow sisters. Wherever she has lived, her bedroom has transformed into a welcoming workspace where she lovingly sews for anyone in need. She extends that same generosity to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation’s annual Holiday Craft Fair, using her creativity to craft infinity scarves, cell phone bags, rosaries, and other handmade treasures. A former home economics teacher, she instilled in her students the belief that beauty and purpose can be found in even the simplest materials—a philosophy she continues to live by today.
Sr. Guadalupe’s story is one of perseverance and devotion, of using her God-given talents to bring comfort, beauty, and joy to those around her. She embodies the spirit of service, proving that the smallest acts of love—whether through ministry or a simple stitch—can leave a lasting impact on the world.
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