About Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya
Lived 1875 – 1949 (aged 74). Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya was a Colombian teacher, nun and christian nun.
Laura Montoya, in full María Laura de Jesús Montoya Upegui (26 May 1874 – 21 October 1949), religious name Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, was a Colombian Roman Catholic religious sister and the founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and Saint Catherine of Siena. She was well known for her work with Indigenous peoples and for acting as a strong role model for South American girls.
Pope John Paul II beatified her in 2004 and Pope Francis canonized her as a saint on 12 May 2013. Montoya is the first Colombian to be made a saint.
Life
María Laura de Jesús Montoya Upegui was born on 26 May 1874 in Jericó in the United States of Colombia as the second of three children to Juan de la Cruz Montoya and Dolores Upegui; she was baptized that same day. The postulator at the time of Montoya's canonization was Silvia Mónica Correale.
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Important facts
People in Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya's life
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Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya?
Colombian catholic sister (1875–1949)
When was Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya born?
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya was born on 26 May 1875 in Jericó.
When did Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya die?
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya died on 21 October 1949 in Medellín.
What was Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya's occupation?
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya was a teacher, nun and christian nun.
What nationality was Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya?
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya was Colombian.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya. https://biography.guide/laura-of-saint-catherine-of-siena-montoya/
MLA: "Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/laura-of-saint-catherine-of-siena-montoya/.
Chicago: "Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena Montoya." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/laura-of-saint-catherine-of-siena-montoya/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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