Sister of Charity – (1847-1916)
Her life
+ Giulia was born in Aosta, Italy. After the death of her mother, she was raised by relatives in Italy, but later educated in France in a school run by the Sisters of Charity.
+ Her father re-married and Guilia returned to her family, but her relationship with her family was strained. At the same time, she began to discern the call to religious life and decided to enter the Sisters of Charity in 1866.
+ Known in religious life as Sister Nemesia, she was assigned to her community’s houses in Tortona, Italy, teaching and, later, serving as novice mistress.
+ Blessed Giulia Valle died on December 18, 1916, and was beatified in 2004.
Spiritual bonus
In past centuries, December 18 was celebrated as the Feast of Our Lady of Expectation, recalling Mary’s expectant waiting in the days before she gave birth.
Quote
“God alone! To him the glory, to the others joy, for me to pay the price, never make others suffer.”—Blessed Giulia Valle
Prayer
O God, who called blessed Giulia to seek your Kingdom in this world through the pursuit of perfect charity, grant, we pray, through her intercession that we may advance with joyful spirit along the way of love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For a Religious)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...