Daily Saints

Saint Paola Elisabetta Cerioli

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Constanse was born to Italian nobility, the youngest of 16 children of Francesco Cerioli and Francesca Corniani; she was born with a heart condition and slight spinal deformity that gave her a lifetime of frail health. She was educated in Bergamo, Italy. On 30 April 1835, at age 19, she entered into an arranged marriage with 59 year old Gaetano Busecchi; he was a difficult man with poor health, and their 19 year marriage was a bit of a trial. Mother of three – one of died in infancy, one at age one, and her son Carlo died in 1854 at age 16; her husband died a few months later. A wealthy widow alone, Paola began sharing her wealth with poor and caring for orphans and neglected children, sometimes taking them into her own home. Feeling a call to religious life, she took a vow of chastity on 25 December 1856, vows of poverty and obedience on 8 February 1857. She founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Comonte di Seriate, Bergamo, Italy in December 1867, taking the name Paola Elisabetta; it’s mission is to help abandoned children and work with new parents. She founded a corresponding men’s Congregation of the Holy Family on 4 November 1863.

Born

  • 28 January 1816 in Soncino, Cremona, Italy as Constanse Honorata Cerioli

Died

  • 24 December 1865 in Comonte di Seriate, Bergamo, Italy of natural causes

Venerated

  • 2 July 1939 by Pope Pius XII (decree of heroic virtues)

Beatified

  • 19 March 1950 by Pope Pius XII

Canonized

  • 16 May 2004 by Pope John Paul II

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paola-elisabetta-cerioli/

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Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Priest

c. 1390–1473; Patron Saint of teachers, students, priests, pilgrims, Lithuania, and Poland; Canonized by Pope Clement XIII on July 16, 1767

Jan Kanty (John Cantius in English) was born in 1390 in the small town of Kęty, in the Kingdom of Poland. Kęty is about ten miles south of Oświęcim, which the Nazis renamed Auschwitz, the location of the largest and most horrific concentration camp in World War II. Kęty is also thirteen miles west of Wadowice, where Pope Saint John Paul II was born 530 years later.

As a youth, John proved to be both intelligent and devout, receiving his early education in his hometown. Around the age of twenty-three, he enrolled in the Kraków Academy where he studied philosophy. Kraków Academy was the only university in the Kingdom of Poland at that time, being founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great. In 1817 it was renamed the Jagiellonian University and is where Pope John Paul II studied. During John Cantius’ studies, he was introduced to the spiritual movement called Devotio Moderna (Modern Devotion), which emphasized personal devotion, humility, and interior conversion, especially through the meditation upon Sacred Scripture and personal prayer.

Around the year 1418, John earned his doctorate in philosophy, taught philosophy classes at the Kraków Academy, and studied theology for three years. Upon completing his theological studies, John was ordained a priest and became the rector at the school of the Canons Regular of the Most Holy Sepulcher in Miechow, about twenty-five miles north of Kraków, where he served for about eight years. The Canons Regular of the Most Holy Sepulcher followed the Rule of Saint Augustine. One of Father John’s duties was to work as a copyist of Scripture and books, since the printing press had not yet been invented. As a copyist, Father John grew in an intimate knowledge of Sacred Scripture. He also copied the works of Saint Augustine, inspiring within him a deep love of Augustinian philosophy and theology. Throughout his life, Father John copied more that 18,000 pages of text that still exist, and most likely many more that do not. 

In 1429, Father John happily accepted a position at Kraków Academy. He became a beloved professor of Sacred Scripture, philosophy, and theology. His disposition was always humble, cheerful, serious, and godly. Most notably, Father John had a reputation for making complex philosophical and theological concepts accessible to his students, combining depth with clarity and practical application. He also continued his theological studies at the Kraków Academy, earning a doctorate in theology, and later fulfilled additional administrative responsibilities as the head of the Philosophy Department, and eventually as head of the Theology Department.

In addition to being an excellent professor, Father John took care of the spiritual needs of his students with compassion and concern. In the pulpit, Father John was known as a powerful preacher and a defender of orthodoxy. At that time, one of the raging debates within the Church was conciliarism, an assertion that the pope should submit to the authority of Church councils. Father John became a staunch defender of the papacy, which had a profound effect upon his colleagues and students.

Father John also became well known and well loved within the city of Kraków for his exceptional generosity and love of the poor. Whatever he had was theirs, minus the meager amount he needed to provide for his own needs. His clothing, money, and food were not off limits. One story relates that one time he even gave away his shoes to a poor person. When asked why he was going barefoot, he replied that a poor person needed his shoes more than he did.

Father John’s prayer life was greatly enhanced by his penitential life. He slept on the floor and ate very little. He made an 1,800-mile pilgrimage on foot to the Holy Land, carrying with him his one sack of belongings. He made four such pilgrimages to Rome, a mere 900-mile walk each way. 

As with many saints, miracles are also attributed to him. One legend relates that he came upon a poor young lady who was a servant to a strict and severe woman. While on an errand to fetch some milk, she accidentally dropped her jar, breaking it and spilling the milk. Father John had compassion for her, prayed over the jar, and miraculously fixed it. Even the milk was returned. Other stories relate miraculous healings of the sick and the recovery of stolen money. Many more miracles were attributed to his intercession by those who visited his tomb after his death. These later miracles drew pilgrims from across Europe to the university’s Collegiate Church of Saint Anne, where he was buried.

As we honor Saint John Cantius, ponder the fact that his attributes that made him so beloved were his humility, generosity, simplicity, concern for others, and diligence in his daily duty. These are qualities that we can all imitate in our own lives and are qualities that can produce saints. Consider any ways that you struggle with these qualities, and seek to imitate this humble servant of God.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/23-december-saint-john-of-kanty-priest–optional-memorial/

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Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

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Frances was one of thirteen children raised on a farm. She received a convent education, and training as a teacher. She tried to join the order at age 18, but poor health prevented her taking the veil. A priest asked her to teach at a girl‘s school, the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, which she did for six years. She took religious vows in 1877, and acquitted herself so well at her work that when the orphanage closed in 1880, her bishop asked her to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Pope Leo XIII then sent her to the United States to carry on this mission.

She and six Sisters arrived in New York in 1889. They worked among immigrants, especially Italians. Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States, Europe and South America. Like many of the people she worked with, Mother became a United States citizen during her life, and after her death she was the first US citizen to be canonized.

Born

  • 15 July 1850 at Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Lombardy, Italy

Died

  • 22 December 1917 at Chicago, Illinois, USA of malaria
  • interred at 701 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, New York, USA

Venerated

  • 21 November 1937 by Pope Pius XI (decree on heroic virtues)

Beatified

  • 13 November 1938 by Pope Pius XI
  • her beatification miracle involved the restoration of sight to a child who had been blinded by excess silver nitrate in the eyes

Canonized

  • 7 July 1946 by Pope Pius XII
  • her canonization miracle involved the healing of a terminally ill nun

Patronage

  • against malaria
  • emigrants (given on 8 September 1950 by Pope Pius XII)
  • hospital administrators
  • immigrants
  • orphans

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-frances-xavier-cabrini/

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Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor

1521–1597; Patron Saint of the Catholic press, Germany, and writers of catechisms; Canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on May 21, 1925

On October 31, 1517, Father Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk and theologian, nailed his Ninety-five Theses that criticized various Catholic Church practices to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This event is often considered to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation that threw the Church into turmoil over the next century. Theological debates were fierce, the Church began to splinter, and cities and nations fought, leading to violence and deaths. Though the sixteenth century was chaotic for the faith, many saints emerged to defend the truth and reform the Church. We honor one of those saints today—Saint Peter Canisius.

Pieter Kanis (Peter) was born in the city of Nijmegen, in the Duchy of Guelders of the Holy Roman Empire, modern-day Netherlands. His father was well educated and served as the mayor of the town. Shortly after Peter’s birth, his mother died. In 1536, when Peter was fifteen, his father sent him to the University of Cologne, and for a short time to the University of Louvain, where he studied the arts, civil and canon law, and theology. In Cologne, Peter frequently visited the Cologne Charterhouse of the Carthusian monks of Saint Barbara. Though much of Germany had been thrown into turmoil as a result of the Protestant Reformation, the Cologne Charterhouse remained firmly Catholic. Peter especially learned from the monks a spirituality referred to as Devotio Moderna (Modern Devotion), which emphasized personal conversion, the internalization of faith, prayerful meditation on Christ’s life, simplicity, and humility. This spirituality would become a defining characteristic of Peter’s life and future ministry.

In 1540, at the age of nineteen, Peter received his Master’s Degree of Arts. His father wanted him to marry a wealthy noblewoman, but Peter’s deepening faith led him to make a personal commitment to a life of celibacy. That same year, the future Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Peter Faber, and four others co-founded what would become the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. Over the next two decades, the Jesuits grew to an estimated 1,000 members, founded about thirty-five schools, and became missionaries to non-Christian territories. The Jesuits also played a significant role in the Catholic Counter-Reformation, becoming staunch defenders of the Catholic Church.

In 1543, Peter made a thirty-day retreat with the new Jesuit Father Peter Faber using the Spiritual Exercises written by Father Ignatius of Loyola. The primary goals of the Spiritual Exercises are personal conversion and the discernment of God’s will. They are especially designed to help a person arrive at a major life decision and resolution. Upon the completion of his thirty-day retreat, Peter Kanis discerned a call to enter the Jesuits. It was around that time that Peter began using the Latinized form of his name, Peter Canisius.

In 1545, the Holy Father opened the Council of Trent that helped lay the theological groundwork for the Catholic-Counter Reformation. The council clarified Catholic doctrines that were under attack due to the Protestant Reformation and enacted various reforms that were sorely needed within the Church. The Council of Trent continued to hold sessions until 1563.

In 1546, Peter Canisius was ordained a priest and was asked to attend the Council of Trent as an assistant to Cardinal Otto Truchsess von Waldburg, Bishop of Augsburg. In 1548, Peter went to Rome with Father Ignatius for further studies, and the following year was sent to Sicily where he assisted at the College of Messina, preaching and carrying out humble domestic duties. In 1549, he received his doctoral degree and made his final profession as a Jesuit.

Fully professed, well trained in Catholic doctrine, and intimately united to Christ through a life of personal prayer and devotion, Father Peter Canisius was ready for his life’s mission. At that time, Pope Paul III asked Father Ignatius of Loyola to recommend a Jesuit priest whom he could send to Germany to help renew the Catholic faith that was in turmoil. Father Peter Canisius was chosen. After meeting with the pope, Father Peter went to Saint Peter’s Basilica to pray to Saints Peter and Paul, asking them to make the apostolic blessing he received from the Holy Father permanent, so he could fulfill the daunting task ahead of him. He later wrote in his journal that he sensed great consolation at that moment. He had a conviction that he was being sent as an apostle to Germany, and that the Apostles Peter and Paul would accompany him.

In 1549, Father Peter set out for the Duchy of Bavaria, modern-day southern Germany, where he first served as dean, rector, and vice chancellor of the University of Ingolstadt. He quickly sought to personalize the faith and to win over hearts and minds. His concern for the students and faculty reached far beyond academics and good doctrine. He was also concerned with forming them spiritually, helping them come to know Christ through prayer and the Sacraments.

In 1554, he was asked to become the Bishop of Vienna, but he declined, preferring to continue his Jesuit mission of teaching and preaching. Instead, he served as the interim diocesan administrator for a year where he continued to share his intimate love for Christ and the people by engaging in pastoral work, such as serving in hospitals and prisons. It was there that he also took up the pen and began to write his influential German catechism: Summa Doctrinae Christianae (Summary of Christian Doctrine). This three-volume catechism was written for three different groups of people: theology students, older youth who were educated, and younger youth needing initial instruction. He wrote in a clear, concise, and down-to-earth way, using a question-and-answer format. One of Father Peter’s deep convictions was that those who had left the faith often did so out of ignorance, not out of ill-will. He believed that if their questions were answered with kindness and clarity, the true faith would once again be accepted. Pope Benedict XVI, a German born in 1927, said of these catechisms, “So it was that still in my father’s generation people in Germany were calling the Catechism simply ‘the Canisius.’ He really was the Catechist of Germany for centuries…”

After his time in Vienna, Father Peter worked nonstop. He founded the College of Prague in 1556, served as the first superior of the Jesuits in northern Germany, coordinated a network of Jesuit communities and colleges, was entrusted with diplomatic missions, and continued to contribute to the Council of Trent. In 1580, he moved to Fribourg, Switzerland, where he spent the last seventeen years of his life preaching and writing. His writings were voluminous, flooding Germany with devotionals, theological commentaries, spiritual texts, apologetic works, educational guides, and translations of Latin texts into German. He was so influential that 300 years after his death, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him the “Second Apostle of Germany” (after Saint Boniface).

As we honor this great apostle of the Catholic faith, ponder the reasons for his success. He loved Christ, and he loved God’s people. He didn’t teach with arrogance or pride. He wasn’t harsh or heavy-handed. Instead, he won hearts as he won minds, gently but clearly leading people back to the faith, introducing them to the Person of Christ, and showing them the way to Heaven. Seek Saint Peter Canisius’ intercession today, praying that you, too, will become an evangelist in his mold. Commit yourself to sharing the Gospel with compassion, while never wavering from the truth.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/21-december-saint-peter-canisius-priest-and-doctor–optional-memorial/

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Saint Dominic of Silos

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Dominic was born to a peasant family, he worked as a shepherd in his youth. He was a Benedictine monk at San Millán de Cogolla monastery, a priest, a novice master, and a prior of the house. He was ordered by King Garcia III of Navarre to give him the monastery‘s lands. Dominic refused, and with two of his brother monks was driven from the house by force.

They sought protection from King Ferdinand I of Old Castile. They found a new home in the San Sebastian monastery at Silos, diocese of Burgos where Dominic was appointed abbot. Founded in 954, the house had fallen on hard times, had only six monks, and was in terrible shape physically, financially and spiritually. He turned around the house’s spiritual life, straightened out its finances, rebuilt its structure. The house was soon a spiritual center noted for book design, printed art, its gold and silver work, and charity to the local poor. The rebuilt abbey cloisters survive to today, and are considered a great architectural treasure. He was reported to heal by prayer. He got wealthy patrons to endow the monastery, and raised funds to ransom Christians taken prisoner by the Moors.

Dominic was one of the most beloved of Spanish saints. There were churches and monasteries dedicated to him as early as 1085, and the monastery he rebuilt is now known as Saint Dominic’s. Many miracles were attributed to his prayers after his death, especially with regard to pregnancy. Dominic’s abbatial staff was used to bless Spanish queens and was kept by their beds when they were in labor. Blessed Joan de Aza de Guzmán prayed at his shrine to conceive the child whom she called Dominic, after the abbot of Silos, and who founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans).

Born

  • 1000 in Cañas (modern Rioja), Navarre, Spain

Died

  • 10 December 1073 in Silos, Spain of natural causes
  • on 5 January 1076 his body was translated to the monastery church for veneration

Patronage

  • against hydrophobia
  • against insects
  • against mad dogs
  • against rabies
  • captives
  • pregnant women
  • prisoners
  • shepherds

Representation

  • abbot surrounded by the Seven Virtues
  • chains, referring to prisoners and slaves
  • mitred abbot enthroned with a book, a veil tied to his crozier

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dominic-of-silos/

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Saint Bernanrd Valeara of Teramo

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Bernard was born to the nobility; He was the brother of Blessed Colomba of Mount Brancastello. He was a Benedictine monk at Monte Cassino abbey and a priest Bishop of Teramo, Italy in 1115. He was a known as a zealous reformer, evangelist, and for his charity.

Born

  • c.1050 in the castle of Pagliara near Castelli, Isola del Gran Sasso, Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy

Died

  • 19 December 1122 of natural causes
  • buried in the chapel of Saint Anne in the Old Cathedral of Teramo, Italy
  • relics transferred to the new cathedral in 1174
  • relics transferred to a chapel devoted to Saint Bernard in 1776

Patronage

  • Teramo, Italy, city of
  • Teramo-Atri, Italy, diocese of

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bernard-valeara-of-teramo/

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Saint Gatianus of Tours

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Gatianus was a spiritual student of Saint Dionysius of Paris. Gatianus brought Christianity to Tours, France in the 4th century, founded the diocese, and served as the its first bishop. However, his good work faded after his death. When Saint Martin arrived in Tours, he found that there were no Christians, but local lore spoke much about Gatianus, the man who brought the Gospel that the people no longer understood. Martin found Gatianus’ burial site, and always venerated his predecessor.

Pious legend says that Gatianus was one of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared at Jesus’ birth, but that is, after all, only a pious legend.

Born

  • 3rd century, probably in Rome, Italy

Died

  • 20 December 301 at Tours, France
  • relics destroyed by Protestants in 1562

Canonized

  • Pre-Congregation

Patronage

  • in France
    – Amiens, city of
    – Tours, archdiocese of
    – Tours, city of

Representation

  • bishop scattering seed, emblematic of spreading the faith
  • bishop in a cave with his parishioners; apparently that’s where he started conducting Mass
  • with Saint Dionysius of Paris

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gatianus-of-tours/

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Saint Lazarus of Bethany

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Lazarus was the brother of Saint Martha and Saint Mary of Bethany. He was the man whom Jesus raised from the dead after having been dead and in his tomb for four days. The Bible does not trace his history after the miracle, but tradition says he became a missionary to Gaul, the first bishop of Marseilles, France, and a martyr in the persecutions of Domitian.

Died

  • beheaded in the 1st century in a cave near Marseilles, France
  • some relics remain in Marseilles
  • some relics later enshrined in the Cathedral of Saint Lazare, Autun, France

Canonized

  • Pre-Congregation

Patronage

  • gravediggers
  • homemakers
  • Cyprus
  • in France
    – Aix-en-Provence
    – Autun, city of
    – Autun – Châlon-sur-Saône – Mâcon – Cluny, diocese of
    – Marseille, archdiocese of
    – Marseille, city of
  • San Lazzaro di Sarzana, Italy

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lazarus-of-bethany/

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Saint Adelaide of Burgundy

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Adelaide was born a princess, the daughter of King Rudolf II (Rupert II) of Upper Burgundy. She was promised at age two in an arranged marriage as part of a treaty between Rudolf and Hugh of Provence. She was married at age 16 to Lothair of Italy, who eventually became king of Italy. She was widowed in 950 while still a teenager; Lothair was probably poisoned by his successor to the throne, Berengarius. As part of his attempt to solidify his grip on power, Berengarius ordered Adelaide to marry his son; she refused, and was imprisoned. She was freed soon after when the German king, Otto the Great, defeated Berengarius.

Adelaide married Otto in Pavia, Italy in 951. He was crowned Emperor in Rome, Italy in 952, and Adelaide reigned with him for 20 years. Widowed in 973, she was ill-treated by her step-son, Emperor Otto II and his wife Theophano, but eventually reconciled with her royal in-laws.

When Otto II died in 983, he was succeeded by his infant son, Otto III. Theophano acted as regent, and since she still did not like Adelaide, used her power to exile her from the royal court. Theophano died in 991, and Adelaide returned once again to the court to act as regent for the child emperor. She used her position and power to help the poor, to evangelize, especially among the Slavs, and to build and restore monasteries and churches. When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Selta near Cologne, a house she had built. Though she never became a nun, she spent the rest of her days there in prayer.

Born

  • c.931 in the kingdom of Burgundy, Holy Roman Empire (modern Burgundy, France)

Died

  • 16 December 999 at the monastery of Selta (Seltz), Alsace of natural causes

Canonized

  • 1097 by Pope Urban II

Patronage

  • abuse victims
  • against in-law problems
  • brides
  • empresses
  • exiles
  • parenthood
  • parents of large families
  • people in exile
  • princesses
  • prisoners
  • second marriages
  • step-parents
  • victims of abuse
  • widows
  • Cluny, France

Representation

  • empress dispensing alms and food to the poor, often beside a ship
  • escaping from prison in a boat
  • holding a church
  • veil

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adelaide-of-burgundy/

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Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli

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Virginia was the daughter of Giorgio Centurione, and imposing and controlling individual who became the Doge of Genoa, and Lelia Spinola. She was raised in a pious family and felt drawn to religious life as a child. However, due to family position, she agreed to an arranged marriage to Gasparo Grimaldi Bracelli on 10 December 1602. He was a drinker, a gambler, and though the couple had two daughters, Lelia and Isabella, he was little of a father or husband. Virginia was widowed on 13 June 1607 after five years of marriage, aged 20, and with two small children.

Virginia moved in with her in-laws, cared for her children, and dedicated her free time to prayer and charity. When her daughters were grown and married, Virginia devoted herself entirely to caring for the sick, aged, and abandoned children. In late 1624 and early 1625, war in the region led to many orphans, some whom Virginia took in and cared for. She worked with refugees in the town as well. When her mother-in-law died in August 1625, Virginia poured herself into the work, turning her house into a refuge and found the Cento Signore della Misericordia Protettrici dei Poveri di Gesù Cristo.

Her house was overrun with the needy during a plague and famine in 1629 – 1630. To house them all, Virginia rented the vacant convent of Monte Calvario and moved her charges there in 1631. Due to crowding, extra housing was built in 1634, Virginia was soon caring for 300 patients, and in 1635 she received official government recognition for her hospital. Virginia worked closely with the young women in her houses, teaching them religion and ways to earn a living.

The expenses of Monte Calvario were excessive, so Virginia bought two villas and started construction of a church dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. It became the mother church of the Institution, whose Rule was written between 1644 and 1650 and which was divided into two congregations: Suore di Nostra Signora del Rifugio di Monte Calvario (Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary) and Figlie di Nostra Signora al Monte Calvario (Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary). When the group of Protectors, the superiors and governors of the Institute was selected in 1641, Virginia retired from administration, working as the humblest sister, doing chores on the grounds and begging for alms for the Institute.

Sadly, though the Institute was a success, healing the sick, educating children, training adults, and helping the dissolute return to productive lives, personal and financial assistance began to decline. Without the chance to work with Virginia, many of the middle and upper class did not participate, fearing the poor and rough residents. Though her health was failing, Virginia returned to active administrative duties. She worked for general spiritual development throughout the region, working for the choice of the Blessed Virgin Mary as patron of the republic of Genoa in 1637, for the institution of the Forty Hours’ Devotion in 1642, and the revival of home missions in 1643. She acted as peacemaker between noble houses, and aided in the reconciliation of Church and Republic authorities in 1647, ending a dispute caused by the government abandoning support of the Institute. Virginia continued working up to the end of her days, and in later years received the gifts of visions and interior locutions.

Born

  • 2 April 1587 in Genoa, Italy

Died

  • 15 December 1651 in Genoa, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

  • 22 September 1985 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized

  • 18 May 2003 by Pope John Paul II at Vatican Basilica

Patronage

  • Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-virginia-centurione-bracelli/

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