Maria Bonardi
Maria Bonardi (born December 4, 1864 in Cuneo , Italy , † July 25, 1945 in Vercelli ) was an Italian nun and founder of the order of the Suore di Santa Maria di Loreto .
history
Her baptismal name was Maria, her parents raised the young girl in the Christian faith and led her to love her neighbor . She grew up in poor conditions and had to take care of the family from an early age. At the age of eighteen she discovered the urge to live as the “handmaid of the Lord” (cf. Lk 1.38 EU ). This wish was reinforced by a dream, she saw herself in a circle of young girls who were completely dressed in white robes and with a headscarf. This vision finally led to the decision to live as a religious sister. In 1873 she was accepted into the religious community of the "Holy Family of Cuneo". Religious life was difficult because the young novice was spirited and energetic.
When she took her religious vows , she took the name Sister Natalina. She was very lively and defied certain rules. Together with other nuns, she worked as a teacher in a small village . The religious order was dissolved in 1891 and Natalina was accepted into Vercelli. In her need, she went to the pilgrimage site of Loreto and prayed to the Mother of God . Again following a vision, she believed that the Madonna had promised to help her. She turned to her local priest for help , who recommended that she found a new religious community. At the same time, he became the young sister's spiritual advisor.
Founding of the order
After a while, her advisor obtained permission from the bishop to establish a new religious community. With the episcopal commission to found a day-care center and a school together with other women, Natalina took on the new challenges. The house was built in Vercelli and the number of sisters grew. The school sisters received the archbishop's approval in 1891 and henceforth called themselves “Suore di Santa Maria di Loreto” (Eng .: Sisters of St. Mary of Loreto). During her creative period, mother Natalina became a role model for charitable organizations, universities and youth education institutions.
Beatification process
After her death on July 25, 1945, she was buried in the chapel of the mother house in Vercelli. On September 13, 2002, the Archbishop of Vercelli Enrico Masseroni opened the process of beatification . The inquiries were completed on December 7, 2007 and the elevation to venerable servant of God was pronounced.
Individual evidence
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Bonardi, Maria |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Italian sister and founder of the order |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 4th December 1864 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Cuneo , Italy |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 25, 1945 |
| Place of death | Vercelli |