Margareta Occhiena
Margherita occhiena (* 1. April 1788 in Capriglio ; † 25. November 1856 in Turin ), shortly also Mamma Margaret called, is the mother of St. John Bosco , by virtue of their lives on 15. November 2006 by the Vatican as a venerable declared.
Life
Margareta Occhiena married the widowed Francesco Bosco in 1812. He already brought a son (Antonio) from his first marriage into the family. They also had their children Giuseppe (* 1813) and Giovanni (* 1815).
In 1817 her husband Francesco died suddenly, after which she had to take care of the three children and the mother-in-law on her own. She was particularly concerned with imparting the faith, and she supported her son Giovanni's wish to become a priest. Don Bosco later reported that his mother had given him the following on the occasion of his ordination: “Giovanni, you have put on the priest's robe. I have all the joy that only a mother can have in the face of her child's happiness. But remember that it is not the garment that honors a class, but the virtue that is lived. Should you ever doubt your calling, do not dishonor this garment. Put it down immediately. I would rather have a poor farmer as a son than a priest who neglects his duties. "
At the age of 58, Margareta moved to Don Bosco's first oratorio in Valdocco in Turin, where she took care of the neglected and poor young people and thus became her son's first Salesian collaborator . After her death, Don Bosco said to the grieving youth: "She must have been a saint!"
Admiration
On November 15, 2006, Margareta Occhiena was declared " worthy of admiration " by the Vatican . This is considered the first step towards a possible beatification .
literature
- Anne Hoffmann: From the luck of giving yourself away completely. When poverty makes the soul rich. From the life of Mama Margareta. Don Bosco Verlag, Munich 2006
- Teresio Bosco: Mama Margareta. Don Bosco's mother. 208 pages. Don Bosco Verlag, Munich 2006. ISBN 3-7698-1602-1
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Occhiena, Margareta |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Occhiena, Margherita (Italian); Occhiena, Margarita (Spanish) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Mother of Johannes Bosco |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 1, 1788 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Capriglio |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 25, 1856 |
| Place of death | Turin |