The Basics: Born December 23, 1892, in Italy; died May 23, 1973, in Italy; beatified June 2, 2018; feast day, May 23. Woman religious.
The Story: She’s called the first spiritual daughter of St. Padre Pio. Maria, a schoolteacher and the youngest of eight children born into a devout Italian family, was about to find herself without a spiritual adviser in 1915 because the priest who had served her in that capacity, Agostino Daniele, was about to become a chaplain in the war effort. But Father Daniele recommended as his successor a Franciscan
friar known as Pio of Pietrelcina.
Maria’s correspondence with Padre Pio began in August 1916, and they first met in person in August 1918. She said that Padre Pio “taught me to listen to the voice of God” and to distinguish between His actions and those of the devil.
In 1923, Padre Pio was ordered to stop all relationships such as he had with Maria because of concerns about validity of some of his gifts, such as the stigmata. (The concerns since have all been dismissed.) But that time, he had written Maria sixty-seven letters, more than anyone except his own sister.
Maria’s own ministry flowered. A longtime secular Franciscan, in 1936, she founded the Sisters Apostles of the Sacred Heart, a community that continues to serve the needy today. She made her final profession of vows in 1956, and was known in religious life as Mary Crucified of Divine Love.
What We Can Learn from Maria: Maria likely was a bit distraught at hearing that her spiritual adviser would be leaving. But his successor deepened her faith in ways she might have never imagined. Let’s trust in the Lord’s plan amid unexpected and unwelcome life changes.
To Learn More About Maria: Read her biography at the Sisters Apostles of the Sacred Heart and the Secular Franciscan Order of Puglia sites.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
