May 5th - Blessed Caterina Cittadini
(Also known as: Katarina Cittadini)
Daughter of Giovanni Battista and Magherita Lanzani. Her mother died when
Caterina was seven, and her father abandoned her and her younger sister
Giuditta. Accepted at the orphanage of the Conventino of Bergamo. There
she
developed a strong faith, a big sister's sense of responsibility, and a
devotion to Our Lady and Saint Jerome Emiliani.
The sisters left the orphanage in 1823 to live with their cousins Giovanni
and Antonio Cittadini, both parish priests at Calolzio, Italy. Teacher at
a
girl's public school in Somasca in 1824. The sisters felt a call to the
religious life; their spiritual director told them that they should stay
in
Somasca, and become the basis of a new congregation.
In 1826 they moved to Somasca, rented a house, bought and furnished a
building, and in October opened a boarding school for girls. Caterina
taught
religion, managed the school, and instituted the oratory style of
education
for her girls. Word of her success spread, attracting more students. The
sisters established another "Cittadini" private school in 1832, and
another
in 1836.
Giuditta directed these new school until her sudden death in 1840.
Caterini's cousin, Father Antonio Cittadini, died in 1841, followed
quickly
by her spiritual director from the orphanage. The rapid succession of
tragedy ruined Caterina's health, and she fell gravely ill; cured through
the intercession of Saint Jerome Emilani.
Caterina quit her public teaching position in 1845 to manage the schools,
care for the orphans, and guide the three companions who help her. To help
organize the work and lives of her companions, she wrote the beginnings of
a
new rule similar to that of religious orders. In 1850 she obtained
permission to build a private oratory to keep the Blessed Sacrament at her
boarding school. In 1851 she applied for approval of her new religious
family.
In 1854 her bishop encouraged her work, and told her to write the rules of
the new order; her first attempt, based on the Constitution of the
Ursulines
of Milano was rejected. A second attempt was accepted on 17 September 1854
under the title Orsoline Gerolimiane (Ursuline Sisters of Somasca). On 14
December 1857, six months after her death, the bishop of Bergamo gave his
approval; the order achieved papal recognition on 8 July 1927. The order's
mandate is to teach, and to care for the abandoned; today they work in
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, India, and the Philippines.
Born
28 September 1801 at Bergamo, Italy
Died
5 May 1857 of natural causes
Venerated
17 December 1996 by Pope John Paul II
Beatified
29 April 2001 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City
Readings
Left an orphan at a very tender age, she became an affectionate mother to
orphans. She wanted her spiritual daughters to be 'mothers' in schools and
in contacts with children. The secret was union with the Eucharist.
-Pope John Paul II
Saint Quote:
Make a little cell in your heart for Jesus of the Agony; take refuge
there,
when you hear Him outraged by men, try to make reparation; you, at least,
love Him and keep your heart quite pure for Him. Oh! If you only knew how
the good God loves pure hearts! It is there that He loves to reign.
--Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Bible Quote:
The just shall stand with great constancy against those that have
afflicted
them, and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be troubled with
terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected
salvation, saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish
of
spirit. These are they whom we had some time in derision, and for a
parable
of reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without
honor. Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their
lot
is among the saints (Wisdom 5:1-5)
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Prayer Before a Crucifix
O good Jesus, hide me within Thy wounds.
Behold, O good and sweetest Jesus,
before Thy Face I humbly kneel,
and with the greatest fervour of my soul I pray
and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity, with true contrition for my sins and
a most firm purpose of amendment, whilst I contemplate with
great sorrow and affection Thy five wounds and ponder them
over in my mind, having before my eyes the words which long
ago David the prophet spoke in Thy own person concerning
Thee, O good Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My
feet, they have numbered all My bones."
Grant, O Lord Jesus Christ, that we who devoutly cherish
Thy wounds, having them impressed on our hearts,
may honour them by our actions and our life.
Glory be to the Father, etc., five times.
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A powerful prayer of St. Clair of Assisi
O Glorious St. Clare! God has given you the power of working
miracles continually, and the favor of answering the prayers
of those who invoke your assistance in misfortune, anxiety,
and distress. We beseech you, obtain from Jesus through
Mary His Blessed Mother, what we beg of you so fervently
and hopefully, (mention your petition in private) if it be for the
greater honor and glory of God and for the good of our souls.
Amen
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