Laura Vicuna was born in Santiago, Chile on 5^th April 1891. Vicuna's parents José and Mercedes were Chilean aristocrats but were forced into exile due to the revolution. The family found refuge in Temuco, but Vicuna's father died suddenly leaving Vicuna's mother to look after Laura and her sister.

The family eventually ended up in Junin de los Andes. Mercedes needed a way to finance her daughter's education so took a job in a local hotel. The owner the hotel, said that he would pay for the education of Laura in exchange for the work that Mercedes did for him. Soon Laura Vicuna found herself in a school run by the "Daughters of Mary Help of Christians". It was during her time here that she took a deep interest in the Catholic faith.

When the sacraments were being explained and taught, Laura fainted because she understood her mothers' sinfulness. She took Saint Dominic Savio as her model and confided with her best friend that she wanted to become a nun.

When the owner of the hotel where her mum was working found out, he was greatly unhappy. The owner said that he would no longer fund her education. However, when Vicuna returned to the school, the sisters said that Laura and her sister wouldn't have to pay for their tuition.

When Bishop Cagliero visited, Vicuna told him of her intention to want to be a Salesian Sister but because of her age, Don Cagliero said that she would have to wait until she was a bit older before she could become a sister.

But Laura Vicuna knew that it would be difficult to become a sister, because of the actions of her mother. So, she began offering her life up to Jesus for her mother, so that she would be able to go to heaven. On hearing this news from Laura, her mother agreed to go to Confession and Confirmation.

Laura Vicuna died on 22^nd January 1904.

Laura was beatified on 3^rd June 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

You can read more about the life of Laura Vicuna here