Maria Domenica Mazzarello

Maria Dominica Mazzarello ( born May 9, 1837 in Mornese, † May 14 1881 in Nizza Monferrato / Piedmont was a nun and is worshiped by the Roman Catholic Church as a saint your feast day is 13 May. .

Life

Maria Mazzarello grew up as the eldest of ten siblings in a Christian family. Even as a child she lived a life of intense prayer and sometimes was already two clock in the morning, so that she could appear on time for work in the vineyard or on the field after the morning mass. They first joined the Don Domenico Pestarino (1817-1874) and Angela Maccagno founded community of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate in order to help families in emergency situations.

In 1860 she fell ill when used during a typhoid epidemic itself difficult and stayed away physically impaired. Together with her friend Petronilla they learned the trade of tailor and opened a small sewing school, with the aim to give young girls an economic and religious foundation in the village. In 1863 she took up the first two orphans and began with a Sunday oratory.

On October 7, 1864 Maria Mazzarello Don Bosco came to know from his work and was so excited that she decided to join him to found a religious community for women as a supplement to the Salesians of Don Bosco. Don Bosco wrote in 1871, the rule of the order for the community, who joined a part of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate. On August 5, 1872 was the official founding of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians ( known in German-speaking Salesian Sisters ). Two years later, Maria Mazzarello was officially confirmed as Superior of the community. On August 28, 1875 made ​​his solemn profession. 1876, the Congregation was recognized by the competent bishop of the diocese of Acqui.

1877 Sr. Maria could already send out the first missionaries to Uruguay. 1879, they moved their mother house in Nizza Monferrato and died there at the age of only 44 years. Her remains are in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin district Valdocco.

Their work was presented under the motto: "Have courage to be happy and to make all your sisters and the girls happy. "

Causes of Saints

Maria Dominica Mazzarello was on 20 November 1938 by Pope Pius XI. beatified and on 24 June 1951 by Pope Pius XII. canonized.

So far, you are ordained as a saint few church buildings, churches or institutions. In addition to the 1972 centennial anniversary medal consecrated church in Mornese - Mazzarelli are:

• A parish in Rome with the associated church, which was raised in 2001 to the titular church of Cardinals;
• An institute in Palermo;
• An institution of the Salesian Sisters in Asti.

In addition, roads in Turin Borgata Lesna, Mornese, San Cataldo, Palermo and Taranto are named after her.