Saint of the Day: St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin

Religious Sister (1888-1922)

Her life

+ Anna Francesca Boscardin was born into a peasant family in Brendola, Italy. She was an innocent child who received little formal education and who suffered greatly because of the abuse inflicted upon her by her alcoholic father. 

+ After spending some years working as a servant, she became a member of the Sisters of St. Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Heart. She received the religious name “Maria Bertilla.”

+ Sister Bertilla was assigned to serve in a hospital her community staffed in Treviso. Known for her gentleness, she became a beloved presence in the children’s ward. 

+ During the First World War, she cared for wounded Italian soldiers and won the respect of the civil authorities for staying with the patients when the area around the hospital was being bombed. 

+ In 1919 her service was recognized by her community when she was named supervisor of the children’s ward. 

+ Saint Maria Bertilla died of cancer on October 20, 1922, and was canonized in 1962. 

For prayer and reflection

“Here I am, Lord, to do your will, whatever comes.”—Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church celebrates the memory of Saint Paul of the Cross. The founder of the Congregation of the Passion (the Passionists), he and his community were sought after as retreat leaders throughout Italy and beyond. His own devotion to the Passion compelled him to share the Truth of God’s love with others. Shortly before his death on October 19, 1775, he established a congregation of enclosed nuns. Saint Paul of the Cross was canonized in 1867.

Prayer

O God, who called blessed Maria Bertilla 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, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For a Religious)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S