A number of causes of canonization recently advanced, including the cause of a woman who was born with dwarfism caused by osteoporosis. She became an apostle of the "Gospel of Suffering."
Anna Fulgida Bartolacelli was previously recognized as a "Servant of God," but Pope Leo's promulgation recognized her "heroic virtues," moving her status to "Venerable," an important stage in her cause of canonization.
Her cause is now in need of verified miracles through her intercession to be declared "Blessed" and finally a "Saint."
A small woman with a big heart
Anna was born in 1928 in a village in Italy and used a wheelchair for most of her life. This was due to bone fragility that caused her dwarfism at birth. Her older sister had the same condition.
She was not able to attend school, but learned to read and write from her parents. She also attended Mass at her local parish and was active in Catholic Action.
In her Vatican biography, it is mentioned how her life was changed when she met Blessed Luigi Novarese:
Her life changed when, in 1956, she met Blessed Luigi Novarese who had founded the Association of Silent Workers of the Cross and participated in a course of spiritual exercises held in Re (VB) by the Volunteer Center of Suffering. On that occasion she had the opportunity to better understand the value of suffering on a spiritual and supernatural level and the contribution that each patient can bring to the common good.
This inspired her to join the Association of Silent Workers of the Cross. She gave her small disability pension each month to the Volunteer Center of Suffering.
Love for Mary
She also had a deep interior life, nourished by Mass, adoration, and the Liturgy of the Hours. Anna was allowed to have a chapel in her home for personal prayer. She also had a big heart for others, along with a love for Our Lady, as the Vatican biography relates:
Love for Our Lady was also constant, and she went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes several times. She was generous towards anyone who needed material and above all spiritual help, knowing how to listen with patience and understanding.
Her health deteriorated as she grew older and she died on July 27, 1993.
Anna is an inspiration to many, especially those who are born with medical conditions that lead to chronic suffering.
