Foundress of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1813-1887)

Her life

+ Maria was born in Giuliano di Roma, Italy.

+ As a young woman, Maria became a Franciscan tertiary, before professing religious vows as a Franciscan sister in 1829, receiving the religious name Sister Maria Teresa of St. Rose (in honor of Saint Rose of Viterbo).

+ Sent as a missionary to north Africa, Maria and four other sisters met with Blessed Pope Pius IX to offer their service.

+ With the pope’s blessing they established a new community of sisters that would later come to be known as the Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

+ For the remainder of her life, Sister Maria served as superior of the community, which oversaw schools throughout Egypt and beyond.

+ Blessed Maria died on May 6, 1887, and was beatified in 1985.

For reflection

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12

Prayer

O God, who raised up blessed Maria in your Church to show others the way of salvation, grant us, by her example, so to follow Christ the master, that we may come with our neighbor into your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For Educators)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.

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