Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I am featuring women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today: Comfort the sorrowful.
The Basics: Born October 29, 1971, in Italy; died October 7, 1990, in Italy; beatified September 25, 2010, by Benedict XVI; feast day, October 29; daughter.
The Story: Chiara was just sixteen when she first felt the pain in her shoulder. The pain turned out to be bone cancer. When the seriousness of the condition became clear, Chiara
focused not on the senselessness of her impending death, but rather on how she could comfort others. Friends and caregivers say that she spent time consoling them, rather than the other way around. Even though walking gave her physical pain, she would accompany another young woman in the hospital ward who benefited from the exercise. One Valentine’s Day, she surprised her parents with dinner reservations for the two of them. She planned her own funeral and ordered that there would be no tears, as she was happy to be joining Jesus in heaven.
Chiara’s Wisdom: “Good-bye; be happy, I am” (Chiara’s final words, addressed to her mother).
What We Can Learn from Chiara: Life often throws us for a loop, and things that happen to us or to those we love just don’t seem fair. Chiara’s example reminds us to look forward to our ultimate destination… and to help others to do the same.
To Learn More About Chiara: Check out the official site in support of Chiara’s canonization.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
