The Basics: Born April 5, 1891, in Chile; died January 22, 1904, in Argentina; beatified September 3, 1988, by John Paul II; feast day, January 22. Daughter. The Story: Laura’s mother must have felt she had few options. Her husband had died after the family’s move to Argentina from Chile, leaving her with two daughters under the… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Laura Vicuna
Tag: Sisterhood of Saints
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Alfonsa Clerici
The Basics: Born February 14, 1860, in Italy; died January 14, 1930, in Italy; beatified July 1, 2010, by Benedict XVI; feast day, January 14. Teacher; woman religious. The Story: Alfonsa felt called to be a woman religious, but she also had a love of learning. The oldest of ten children, her family’s finances required her to… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Alfonsa Clerici
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Gudula
The Basics: Born after 646 in what is now Belgium; died after 680 in Belgium; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, January 8. Laywoman. The Story: Tradition has it that one of Gudula’s sisters was martyred, and the other spent her life in an extremely unhappy marriage. Gudula’s path was much quieter. After being educated at the abbey of… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Gudula
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Melania the Younger
The Basics: Born about 383 in what is now Italy; died 439 in what is now Israel; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 31. Philanthropist. The Story: Some call Melania (not to be confused with her saintly grandmother, Melania the Elder) the greatest religious philanthropist of all time. The child of a Roman senator, Melania was married off… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Melania the Younger