MEMORIAL OF SAINT ROSA VENERINI, RELIGIOUS AND BLESSED GISELE, WIDOW ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 7TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Rosa Venerini, Religious and Blessed Gisele, Widow. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the poor and the needy, we pray for all mothers and women all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being. We also pray for all youths and all teachers that they may be good examples to their students.
SAINT ROSA VENERINI, RELIGIOUS: St. Rosa (February 9, 1656 – May 7, 1728) also known as St. Rose, recently-canonized Italian educator who founded Catholic schools for girls and young women during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Saint Rosa Venerini lived consumed by two great passions: passion for God and passion for the salvation of souls. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 15, 2006, who spoke in his canonization homily of her courageous work for “the spiritual elevation and authentic emancipation of the young women of her time.” Her work is continued today by the “Venerini Sisters.”
St. Rose Venerini was born in the central Italian city of Viterbo on February 9, 1656, she was the daughter of an accomplished pious doctor, Goffredo, who raised four children with his admirable wife, Marzia. At the age of seven she made a vow to consecrate her life to God. However, tjis resolution was tested during her adolescence. She was later conflicted between her vow and living in the world. At the age of 20 she knew she must make a decision between marriage and the cloister, the only two options available to women of her day, both of which she esteemed. After much prayer and suffering she entered a monastery. St. Rosa briefly joined a Dominican women’s community during 1676, but returned home to comfort her mother after her father, Goffredo’s unexpected death. One of Rosa’s brothers, Domenico, also died at age 27. Her mother, Marzia was heartbroken and died within months. In the wake of these family crises, St. Rosa invited local women to her home to pray the Rosary in a group. However, she was soon dismayed by the deficiencies she saw in their education and religious formation. This eye-opening experience shaped Rosa’s future, pointing her toward her ultimate vocation in the field of teaching. In 1685, with the help of two friends and the approval of her local bishop, Rosa opened Italy’s first public school for girls. It was supported by some Church and state officials, though others resisted an educational model that was, for its time, unconventional. Many of these critics were silenced by the school’s clear success in uplifting the character of young women. St. Rosa left Viterbo and founded ten schools in the Diocese of Montefiascone between 1692 and 1694. She also trained a local successor, the future Saint Lucia Filippini. Only after several years, and one disappointing failed attempt, did Rosa manage to start a school in Rome, during 1713. Three years later, Pope Clement XI paid a visit accompanied by eight cardinals. Witnessing the work of Rosa Venerini’s teachers, the Pope personally thanked her, declaring: “With these schools you will sanctify Rome.”
The acceptance of Rosa’s work also increased her daily responsibilities. Governors and cardinals asked her to open schools in their areas. She undertook difficult journeys for the sake of her work, while maintaining a strong prayer life that kept her oriented toward God’s will in all of her undertakings. Spiritual direction from Jesuit priests helped her to combine an active apostolate with a life of contemplative prayer. She cultivated a close daily relationship to God while working to found over 40 schools. Over the course of her life she opened 40 schools across Italy dedicated to the education and promotion of women for the uplifting and ennobling of society. St. Rosa Venerini’s last illness came to an end during the evening of May 7, 1728 at the age of seventy-two. Her religious congregation, known in Italian as the “Maistre pie Venerini,” maintains an international presence. After having made its contribution to the Italian immigrants to the USA from 1909 and in Switzerland from 1971 to 1985, the Congregation extended its apostolic activity to other lands: India, Brazil, Cameroon, Romania, Albania, Chile, Venezuela and Nigeria. “Educate to save” became her motto. Her feast day is May 7th.
PRAYER: O God, who raised up blessed Rose Venerini in your Church to show others the way of salvation, grant us, by her example, so to follow Christ the master, that we may come with our neighbor into your presence. 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 🙏🏽
BLESSED GISELE, WIDOW: Blessed Gisele also known as Gisela of Hungary or Gisele, Gizella of Bavaria (c. 985 – May 7, 1065) was the first queen consort of Hungary by marriage to Stephen I of Hungary, and the sister of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor. Blessed Gisele was given in marriage to St. Stephen of Hungary in 1008. She bore his a son, who went on to become St. Emeric, and fully supported him in his work of evangelization. Blessed Gisela had great influence on the conversion of the Hungarians. After the death of her husband, Blessed Gisele retired to the Benedictine Abbey of Niederburg (later becoming its Abbess) and spent her time in prayer and self-denial until her death on May 7, 1065.
PRAYER: God, You inspired Blessed Gisele to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of her pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us through her intercession that we may advance rejoicing in the way of love… Amen 🙏🏽