The Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick were founded on August 15, 1851, in Madrid, Spain, at the initiative of Father Miguel Martínez who was inspired to found an institute of religious Sisters who, moved by charity, would be specifically dedicated to care for the sick in their own homes. A young woman, Manuela Torres Acosta, who would later be known as Mother Soledad, hearing about his plan, introduced herself to Father Miguel who, although indecisive at first, accepted her as the seventh member of the founding group of women. From the beginning, there were many difficulties, oppositions and restrictions by the government, and Father Miguel, seeing that his efforts to give the Institute stability were in vain, decided to go to the missions in 1856. Mother Soledad then became the Superior General and the only founding Sister to persevere in this new endeavor. She spent herself working zealously for the growth of the Congregation and embodied the charism for her Sisters to carry on the spirituality and mission so necessary in every time. After her death in 1887, her cause for canonization was opened, and she was canonized in 1970.

Historically, the Servants of Mary have provided nursing care to people suffering from the effects of wars, natural disasters and epidemics. In Spain they were renowned for the service they provided during cholera epidemics and for tending to the wounded during the Spanish Revolution. During the Mexican Revolution, they assisted the Red Cross in caring for those with tuberculosis and other contagious diseases.

St. Maria Soledad’s vision and great love for the sick is continued today by over 1,000 Sisters in 23 countries, comprising a world-wide ministry of care and compassion in 116 convents.