Today is the Feast Day of St. Clelia Barbieri, who died at the age of 23 in Italy.
She is the patron for those who are mocked for their faith. Her parents Giuseppe and Giancita Barbieri had a love story with the theme of a movie – mother was from a very well to do family, while Guiseppe was from among the poorest. The couple was very happy in their marriage, the lived in a very modest home, and their little family was strengthened by their faith.
Saint Clelia was 8 years old, her father died of cholera. Giancita and her daughters moved to a home by their church in Budrie (near Bologna, Italy). Young Clelia became even more devoted to Christ, Adoration of the Holy Eucharist, and Our Lady of Sorrows. She wanted to become a saint and would even ask her mother how to do so.
She wanted to be a part of a male dominant church group called the Christian Catechism Workers, who taught the faith to all even the poorest and neglected. Although she entered the group as the least important member, assisting the teachers, she soon took on a leadership role, because of her genuine love of God and knowledge of the faith.
Her charisma attracted other women to join her mission and eventually they formed the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows, teaching not only adults, but also the poor, sick, and children. At the age of 22 she was called “Mother,” making her the youngest founder of a religious order in the Church.
She died of tuberculosis at the age of 23. Just before she died, she said “I’m leaving, but I’ll never abandon you. When in that alfalfa field next to the church there will be a new community house, I will no longer be with you … You will grow in number, and you will expand over plains and mountains to work in the vineyard of the Lord. The day will come when here at Budrie many will arrive with carriages and horses …. I’m going to Heaven and all those who will die in our community will enjoy eternal life.”
Today her community continues to grow with 35 congregation houses in Italy, India, and Tanzania.
