Bienheureuse
Marie-Fortunata Viti
Moniale
bénédictine (+ 1922)
Analphabète, elle perdit sa mère très jeune et eut la charge d'une nombreuse famille. A 24 ans, en 1851, elle entra comme sœur converse à l'abbaye de Saint-Marie de Franconi. Elle était un exemple de la vie monastique, et, par sa joie et son amour du travail, elle répandit autour d'elle la paix et la charité. Elle fut béatifiée en 1967 comme témoignage que la science de la vie spirituelle est plus grande que les sciences intellectuelles.
À Veroli dans le Latium, en 1922, la bienheureuse Marie-Fortunée (Anne-Félice
Viti), moniale bénédictine. Pendant presque tout le cours de sa longue vie,
elle s'occupa de la lingerie du monastère, attentive à observer de tout son
cœur les seuls préceptes de la Règle.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/9267/Bienheureuse-Marie-Fortunata-Viti.html
MARIA FORTUNATA VITI
Religieuse bénédictine, Bienheureuse
1827-1922
Anna Felicia Viti est né
à Veroli, une commune de l'Italie dans la province de Frosinone, le 10
Février 1827. Son père était Luigi Viti, un propriétaire qui était un “drogué”
de jeu et un buveur, et sa mère Anna, née Bono, est morte quand Maria
avait quatorze ans. Elle était l’aînée de neuf enfants. Maria a été aux prises
avec la responsabilité d'élever les autres enfants à la mort de sa mère. Afin
de soutenir sa famille, elle a travaillé comme gouvernante. L'alcoolisme de son
père empirait, et seul l'emploi de Maria constituait la plus importante partie
des revenus de la famille. Pendant un moment, elle a été courtisée par un jeune
homme de Alatri, mais elle a décidé d'entrer plutôt dans la vie religieuse.
Maria a rejoint les
bénédictins du Monastère de San Maria de Franconi à Veroli le 21 Mars 1851, à
l'âge de 24 ans. Après sa profession religieuse, elle a pris le nom de Maria
Fortunata. Même si elle a passé plus de 70 années dans l'Ordre, elle n'a jamais
progressé au-delà des travaux d’entretien : elle a servi au monastère dans
le filage, la couture, le lavage, et le raccommodage des vêtements. Sœur Maria
est restée illettrée toute sa vie, mais elle avait une grande la dévotion au
Très Saint-Sacrement.
Âgée alors de 95 ans,
Sœur Maria est décédée le 20 Novembre 1922 à Veroli, de causes naturelles.
Après la mort de Sœur
Maria, les miracles ont été signalés sur sa tombe. En outre, les rapports de
miracles étaient attestés au cours de sa vie, y compris certains épisodes qui
suggèrent qu'elle avait le don de prophétie. Selon une histoire, elle se mit à
pleurer pendant la messe, parce qu'elle avait vu que le prêtre célébrant
laisserait sa vocation, et elle était remplie de tristesse pour lui. Elle a
aussi prédit qu'un autre prêtre quitterait la prêtrise, mais qu'il allait se
repentir et revenir. On peut citer encore les deux femmes qui avaient été
guéries d'une méningite dans leur enfance et qui ont attribué leur guérison aux
prières de Maria.
En 1935, ses restes ont
été transférés à l'église abbatiale, et le procès de sa canonisation a été
initié. Sœur Maria Fortunata a été déclarée vénérable le 8 avril 1964 par le
Pape Paul VI, et béatifié le 8 Octobre 1967 par le même pape.
La cause de canonisation
de Sœur Maria est en cours à Rome.
SOURCE : http://alexandrina.balasar.free.fr/maria_fortunata_viti_fr.htm
Bienheureuse Marie
Fortunata VITI
Nom: VITI
Prénom: Anne Félix
Nom de religion: Marie
Fortunata (Maria Fortunata)
Pays: Italie
Naissance:
1830 (Latium)
Mort:
20.11.1922 à Veroli (Latium)
Etat: Religieuse -
Bénédictine (Converse)
Note: Bénédictine, sœur
converse au Monastère de Veroli (Latium)
Béatification:
08.10.1967 à Rome par Paul VI
Canonisation:
Fête: 20 novembre
Réf. dans l’Osservatore Romano:
Réf. dans la Documentation Catholique: 1967 col.2020
20 NOVEMBRE BIENHEUREUSE MARIE
FORTUNATA VITI. La prière d'aujourd'hui
Da Paul Tescione - Novembre
20, 2018
Nous vous adorons et nous
te remercions, ô Père Divin éternel, te suppliant des faveurs dont tu as
remplies Sœur M. Fortunata, ta fidèle servante, pour nous accorder le don de la
foi et la grâce particulière que nous demandons: (Pater, Ave , Gloria).
Nous vous adorons et vous
remercions, ô Fils Divin éternel, vous implorant pour les faveurs dont vous
avez remplies Sœur M. Fortunata, votre fidèle servante, pour nous accorder le
don de l'espérance et la grâce particulière que nous demandons: (Pater, Ave,
Gloria).
Nous vous adorons et vous
remercions, Ô Esprit Divin éternel, vous implorant des faveurs dont vous avez
comblé Sœur M. Fortunata, votre fidèle servante, votre fidèle servante, de nous
accorder le don de la charité et la grâce particulière que nous demandons:
(Pater , Ave, Gloria).
Pouvoir et charité de
Dieu…. ayez pitié de nous!
SOURCE : https://www.ioamogesu.com/fr/20-novembre-beata-maria-fortunata-viti-preghiera-di-oggi/
Blessed Maria Fortunata
Viti
Also known as
Anna Felicia Viti
Profile
Daughter of Luigi Viti,
a gambler and heavy drinker, and Anna Bono, who died when Anna was fourteen. Raised her eight siblings after her mother's death, often working as
a domestic servant to support them. Joined the Benedictines at
the San Maria de’Franconi monastery in Veroli, Italy on 21 March 1851 at age 24, taking the name Sister
Maria Fortunata. She was over 70 years in the Order, her days
spent spinning, sewing, washing, mending - and praying the whole
time. Sister Maria never
learned to read or write, and never held any position in her house, but she had
a great devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament, and whole generations of nuns and local lay people learned from her quiet,
humble, happy, prayerful example.
Born
10 February 1827 in Veroli, Frosinone, Italy as Anna Felicia Viti
20 November 1922 in Veroli, Frosinone, Italy of natural causes; interred in a mass
grave at her house; miracles reported
at her grave site
8 October 1967 by Pope Paul VI
pending; if you have
information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Maria,
contact
Monastero S.
Maria de’Franconi
P.zza de’Franconi 3
03029 Veroli (FR), ITALY
Additional Information
SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20101124020239/http://saints.sqpn.com/saintm91.htm
Blessed Maria Fortunata
Viti
November 20
Italian.
1827-1922
Daughter of Luigi Viti, a gambler and heavy drinker, and Anna Bono, who died
when Anna was fourteen. Raised her eight siblings after her mother's death,
often working as a domestic servant to support them. Joined the Benedictines at
the San Maria de'Franconi monastery in Veroli, Italy on 21 March 1851 at age
24, taking the name Sister Maria Fortunata. She was over 70 years in the Order,
her days spent spinning, sewing, washing, mending - and praying the whole time.
Sister Maria never learned to read or write, and never held any position in her
house, but she had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and whole
generations of nuns and local lay people learned from her quiet, humble, happy,
prayerful example.
"Humility: this is the virtue that Maria Fortunata personifies. This
insignificance is her greatness. We are reminded of the Magnificat, and this
alone speaks to Maria Fortunata's degree of Christian authenticity and the
depth of her spiritual perfection. Humility is her message ..." - Pope
Paul VI (8 October 1967)
SOURCE : https://scrc.org/experience/feast.php?view=314
Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti
Today we commemorate Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti (Anna Felicia Viti), a
Benedictine nun who spent more than 70 years in the monastery.
Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti was born on February 10, 1827 in Veroli, Italy as
Anna Felicia Viti.Her father was a gambler and a heavy drinker. After her
mother died when she was 14 years old, she cared for her eight younger
siblings. She also worked as a servant to support the family.
Anna joined the Benedictines in Veroli, Italy on March 21, 1851 at the age of
24, taking the religious name of Sister Maria Fortunata. She spent more 70 years
in the monastery, always faithful to the Rule of "Prayer and Work"
and to her personal motto: "Oh, the power and love of God." Her work
consisted of simple tasks: spinning, sewing, washing, mending. Sister Maria
never learned to read or write and she never held a position in her house, but
she had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Her prayers were very
powerful, and she had a special insight into recognizing the needs of others.
When they came to her discouraged or burdened, she encouraged them, reminding
them: "Short is the suffering, eternal the joy!"
Religious and lay people alike learned from her quiet, humble, happy, and
prayerful example. Blessed Maria Fortunata died on November 20, 1922 in Veroli
of natural causes. She was put into a mass grave and there are reported
miracles at the grave site. She was beatified on October 8, 1967 by Pope Paul
VI and awaits canonization.
Patronage: mental illness, loss of parents, against poverty and
temptations.
SOURCE : https://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2012/11/blessed-maria-fortunata-viti.html
Saint of the Day – 20 November – Blessed Maria
Fortunata Viti OSB (1827-1922)
Posted on November
20, 2019
Saint of the Day – 20
November – Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti OSB (1827-1922) Benedicitine Religious,
Apostle of Eucharistic Adoration and of Prayer, the gift of prophesy and
miracles – born on 10 February 1827 in Veroli, Frosinone, Italy as Anna
Felicia Viti and died on 20 November 1922 in Veroli, Frosinone, Italy of
natural causes. Patronages – against poverty, of the poor, against temptations,
loss of parents, against mental illness and the mentally ill.
Anna Felicia Viti was
born in Veroli, in Italy’s Province of Frosinone, on 10 February 1827.
Her father was Luigi Viti, a landowner who was a gambling addict and a
heavy drinker and her mother Anna, died when Maria was fourteen years
old. The third eldest of nine children, Maria was burdened with the
responsibility of raising the other children. In order to support
her family, she worked as a housekeeper. Her father’s alcoholism
grew worse and so Maria’s employment constituted the majority of the family’s
income. For a while, she was wooed by a young man from Alatri but
she decided to enter religious life instead.
Maria joined the
Benedictines at the Monastery of San Maria de’Franconi in Veroli on 21 March
1851, at the age of 24. After her religious profession, she took
the name Maria Fortunata.
She never went to school
and remained illiterate and although she spent more than 70 years in the
Convent, she never progressed beyond the office of housekeeper and there she
grew in the vital spiritual virtue of humility. During her long life, she
knew nothing but assiduous work and constant prayer. She invoked
the Lord with such passion and devotion it would edify her fellow Sisters.
Admiring the beauties of nature she would be in the habit of often
exclaiming: “The Love and the Power of God!” which remained her
favourite expression. She dedicated her prayers and sacrifices in
particular for the needy, for derelicts and for the redemption of sinners.
Blessed Maria confided to
her fellow Sisters, that the devil bothered her both day and night mocking her
and hitting her in order to try her patience and humility. Her
confessor, Father John Pasqualiti, wrote: “With tears in her eyes,
Sister Fortunata confided to me that the devil insulted her with the most vile
and crude expressions. Often he threatened and made life difficult for her but
she never despaired. These insults became all the more frequent
when the Saint was near her death. Many of these disturbances were
also heard and witnessed by her fellow Sisters.” – Apparitions of Angels
& Demons.
She died a holy death on
20 of November 1922. She was a wonderful example of humility.
After Sister Maria’s
death, miracles were reported at her grave site. Also, reports of
miracles were attested to during her lifetime, including certain episodes that
proved her gift of prophecy. According to one story, she began to
cry during Mass, because she had seen that the celebrating priest would leave
his calling and she was filled with sorrow for him. She also
predicted that another priest would leave the priesthood but that he would
repent and come back. In addition, two women who had been healed of
meningitis in their childhood attributed their cures to her prayers.
In 1935, her remains were
transferred from a mass grave to the Abbey Church and the process of her
Canonisation was begun. Sister Maria Fortunata was declared
Venerable on 8 April 1964 by St Pope Paul VI and Beatified on 8 October 1967 by
the same Pope.
Author: AnaStpaul
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The “Little Flower” of
Benedictines
Sister Maria Fortunata
Viti, an Italian Benedictine of the monastery of Santa Maria de ‘Franconi, died
in 1922 at the age of 95. Her death, like her life, was unremarkable and little
noticed except by her sisters in community.
The third of nine
children she was given the name Anna Felice. Her early life was one of
hardship: her mother died when she was young and her father was a heavy drinker
and gambler, leaving it to Maria to care and provide for her younger siblings.
With no formal education, she remained illiterate her entire life.
After entering
Benedictine life as a lay sister as Sister Maria Fortunata, she found her
calling as a housekeeper, constantly praying as she went about her daily tasks
of sewing, mending and washing. In her community she was known for her piety
and closeness to God.
Following her death, a
number of miracles were reported by people praying at her unmarked gravesite,
including two young girls healed from spinal meningitis. Church authorities
soon took notice and investigated. Her remains were exhumed in 1935, and moved
to the cathedral in Veroli, as 5,000 people joined the procession.
Fr. Thomas Brockhaus,
monk of Mount Angel Abbey, promoted her beatification. As editor of St. Joseph
Magazine, he published articles about her life and spirituality, and accounts
of prayer petitions to her which had been granted. Father Thomas attended her
beatification in 1967 and spent some time with the sisters at their monastery
in Veroli, Italy. A warm connection between the two Benedictine communities was
born.
The process for Blessed
Fortunata’s canonization is ongoing, and continues to be supported by the
Abbey. When Abbot Jeremy Driscoll and Fr. Odo Recker led a pilgrimage to Italy
in October 2019, they were welcomed by the sisters at Santa Maria de ‘Franconi.
Fr. Odo, now taking the lead in promoting her cause, recently received the
blessing for this effort from Abbess Maria Louisa Ferrante.
Would you like to help
make Blessed Fortunata and her little way of holiness and humility known to
more people? Please let us know
and we will send you 50 trifold cards to distribute in your parish or
prayer group. The cards have an image of Blessed Fortunata, a short
biography, and a prayer for her intercession. For more information or to obtain
prayer cards for Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti, please email Fr. Odo Recker, O.S.B.
A letter from Fr. Odo Recker, O.S.B.
Dear Friends,
Mount Angel has a
long-standing commitment to promoting the cause for canonization of Sister
Maria Fortunata Viti, O.S.B. Our monks who were studying in Rome at the time of
exhumation were part of the choir of student-monks who sung at the event in
1935. Benedictines around the world became involved in promoting her cause. The
monks at Mount Angel used their national publications, The Saint Joseph
Magazine and the German language Saint Joseph’s Blatt, to tell her story and
ask for prayers for her canonization. In recent years promoting the cause for
canonization has tapered off until it was almost lost of entirely. But now we
are renewing our effort.
You may know that there
are multiple stages in the canonization process. First, there is the investigation
at the local level. The tribunal calls witnesses, and if a person passes this
step, he or she is named a Servant of God. Once the petition goes to the
Vatican and is accepted, the candidate becomes a Venerable.
A certified miracle
granted through the intercession of the Venerable is needed for the candidate
to be declared a Blessed by the Holy Father and allow for his or her veneration
by the local Church or religious community. Finally, another miracle must be
certified for the Blessed to be considered for canonization. If accepted, the
Holy Father can declare the Blessed a Saint and be venerated by the universal
Church.
We are seeking your help
in praying for this final miracle through the intercession of Blessed Maria
Fortunata. She has always been a powerful intercessor. Many favors and miracles
have been granted through her intercession. We ask that if it is God’s will,
that she be elevated to the rank of saint. And so we boldly ask for miracles
through her.
We ask you to join us in
praying for her canonization. Thank you.
The
Life of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti, O.S.B.
Blessed Maria Fortunata
Viti, O.S.B.
1827 – 1922
Was Blessed Fortunata
Viti a woman of great achievement? No. Was Sister Maria Fortunata recognized
for her holiness by others during her life? No. Was Blessed Maria Fortunata a
great leader? Did she establish or reform a religious order or community? Did
she write or say inspiring things? No. No. No.
Blessed Maria Fortunata
Viti lived her life as a Benedictine lay sister in the cloistered Abbey of
Santa Maria dei Franconi in the town of Veroli in the province of Frosinone
south of Rome, Italy. Hers was a hidden life filled with prayer and work,
dedicated to the observance of the monastic life. She spent her entire
religious life in the sewing room of the monastery; spinning thread, weaving
cloth, sewing garments and repairing the clothes of the sisters in the
monastery. It was her desire to take the lowest place in the monastery even
though she had the potential to “do great things.” Her desire was to serve and
love in humility; to become a saint.
Anna Felice Viti was born
on the feast of St. Scholastica, February 10, 1827; the third of nine children
born to Luigi Viti and Anna Bono. Both Luigi and Anna came from prominent
families. The Viti family was quite wealthy owning a lot of land, a factory in
a nearby city, and were merchants in Veroli. Anna Bono’s family resided in the
nearby town of Ferentino, but not much is known of her family. But life was not
easy for the Viti’s. Luigi developed a gambling habit and his business went
bankrupt. Some say Luigi was defrauded of his wealth besides having a gambling
problem. None the less, the family was impoverished by the time our future
blessed was ten years old. Luigi also developed an alcohol addiction causing
him to be irresponsible in regard to his family responsibilities, leaving his
wife Anna to provide and care for the large family alone. But love prevailed
for Luigi’s wife and children. Despite her father’s drunken condition, Anna
Felice would seek his blessing and kissed his hands every evening before going
to bed. She never spoke ill of him.
Four years after the
bankruptcy, October 27, 1841, Anna Bono passed away at age 36 leaving the Viti
children to fend for themselves. Luigi’s mother, the children’s grandmother,
Lady Teresa Viti-Paniccia provided food for the family, but at age 14 Anna
Felice took on the responsibility of being the parent, mother and father, for
the family. The oldest daughter, Agnes, entered the Benedictine Convent of St.
John the Baptist in 1843. Filippo, the second oldest left the home to live in
the town of Segni where he married young and led a devout and exemplary life.
In time, Anna Felice took a position as a maid in the household of the Mobili
family in the town of Monte Giovanni Campano to provide for her younger
brothers and sisters, leaving the parental responsibilities to her sister
Johanna. Two of her brothers served in the army of the Papal States, two of her
sisters became nuns, and the youngest was sponsored by the Marchese Pietro
Bisleti to enroll in the academy of the Augustinian Sisters in Frosinone. Now,
with all her siblings being cared for, Anna Felice was free to consider her own
vocation.
A young man of a wealthy
noble family in the town of Alatri proposed marriage to Anna Felice, but she
decided to become a bride of Christ instead. Having been accepted to enter the
Convent of Santa Maria a Ripa at Pontecorvo, Anna Felice was visiting the nuns
at Santa Maria dei Franconi with a local matron on March 20, 1851, when one of
the Sisters felt moved to ask the young woman, “Would you like to join our
community?” Explaining that her dowry was already at Santa Maria a Ripa and
that she was due to enter the next day, Anna Felice was not inclined to
consider such a proposal. The sister said that they could easily have her dowry
sent over to their convent. Considering the invitation to be providential, Anna
Felice accepted the proposal and was interviewed by the Mother Abbess and other
nuns. The entire chapter agreed and the next day, March 21, 1851, Anna Felice
was received as Sister Maria Fortunata into the Convent of Santa Maria dei
Franconi. She was 24 years old.
Sister Maria Fortunata
was offered the opportunity to study and be a choir nun, but instead she chose
the way of humility recommended by Saint Benedict and asked to be a lay sister
in service to the nuns of the Convent. The next 71 years were spent in the
lowest position in the monastery. She remained virtually illiterate, and lived
her monastic life like a servant in a large family household.
Life was not always easy
for Sister Maria Fortunata. Some of the sisters could be unkind, demanding and
rude, but Sister Maria Fortunata was never known to respond in anger. Instead,
she would accept the rebuke and thanked the offending sister promising to pray
for her. There was no question of offense. Sister Maria Fortunata had a
forgiving heart and forgiveness was given at the very time the offense was
occurring. Sister Fortunata exuded joy and remained quiet. Her love for others
as Christ was very real.
Silence was indispensable
for Sister Fortunata. Her silence was closely associated with her prayer. Once
she commented to a younger sister, “We must be silent in order to speak with
God. When we are silent we hear in the soul the voice of the Savior who teaches
us many things.” Sister Fortunata prayed as she worked and the whole community
knew that when she did not sleep at night, she spent the time in prayer. She
was very devoted to the Blessed Trinity especially in the mysteries of the
Incarnation and the Resurrection. The sisters often found her praying before
the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle of the church.
The beauty and wonders of
nature filled the Blessed’s soul with delight. She would exclaim, “O the power
and the love of God.” Song birds gathered outside the window of the sewing room
to lighten her spirit as she worked. They would come to perch on her hand or
head. Sister Fortunata provided odd bits of cloth and thread for the birds to
build their nests and she brought them a part of her own meager allowance of
bread and enjoyed sharing it with them. If another sister came by, the birds
would fly away, but they gathered in numbers when Sister Fortunata was alone at
her workplace.
Because of her virtual
illiteracy, Sister Fortunata always had to ask another sister to write her
letters for her. She could become quite a pest and the sisters would avoid her in
the monastery. This isolation caused her sadness but Sister Fortunata never
complained. Her love for the sisters, the visitors, the sick, the children who
came for catechism, was simply an expression of her authentic love for Christ.
If ever she was denied assistance from a sister, she would apologize for
bothering the sister, acknowledging her burden of work, promising to pray for
her and agreed to come at a better time.
Sister Fortunata was a
hard worker. She could do the work of three nuns. For a three year stretch
Sister Fortunata served as a nurse to the aged and infirm sisters along with
her sewing work. She testified to enjoying her work because it gave her the
opportunity to show charity to the sisters. She commented, “Not even in heaven
will I want to rest, since I feel pushed to do something good for others.”
Indeed, this “heavenly work” was observed when numerous miracles were reported
by people who prayed at her grave.
In her declining years,
Sister Fortunata suffered the pain of spiritual aridity. In addition,
rheumatism relegated her to her bed and she eventually went deaf and blind. It
was difficult for her to receive the expressions of loving care shown to her.
She would rather be serving others in some way, but requests for her prayers made
her happy and she was faithful in remembering them. Since her prayers seemed to
be “especially effective” she was sought out often by sisters and the
townspeople with prayer requests.
When the old sister died
on November 20, 1922, at 96 years of age, few seemed to notice or mourn. She
was the last among her siblings to die and the sisters in the convent
anticipated her death. She was buried the next day in the common grave of the
Sisters outside the town with a simple ceremony.
During her lifetime,
Sister Fortunata often repeated the words, “When I am in heaven, I will
continue to do good to my neighbor.” Before long after her death, hundreds of
reports of favors being granted through her intercession were reported. Sr.
Fortunata’s reputation as “the Merciful Helper of Veroli” spread throughout
Italy and beyond. Even miracles of instantaneous healing were reported. As a
result, the Sisters of Veroli began to keep records of the reports and
collected facts of her life and virtues to be placed before the Church with a
view to her beatification. At the end of the year 1929, Fr. Peter Ricci,
O.S.B., was appointed postulator of the cause. In the spring of 1930 the Bishop
of Veroli began the preliminaries of the diocesan process for the beatification
of Sister Maria Fortunata Viti, O.S.B.
Shortly thereafter both
the bishop and the postulator passed away and the process was postponed
indefinitely. But Father Gabriel Locher, O.S.B., of the Abbey of Seckau in
Austria and a professor of Theology at the Benedictine University of San
Anselmo in Rome, was appointed postulator. He published a German biography of
Sister Maria Fortunata in 1934. The Diocesan process was started up again by
the new bishop of Veroli on July 11, 1934. The choice of the feast day of Saint
Benedict was not intentional but it was seen as an indicator of St. Benedict
and the Lord’s desire that Sister Fortunata should be beatified.
Numerous requests from
the townspeople of Veroli were made to have Sister Fortunata’s body moved from
the common gravesite of the Sisters in the country to the Church of Santa Maria
Dei Franconi, the Convent Chapel, in Veroli, so that it would more accessible
for prayer and veneration. With the approval of the Benedictine Sisters and the
various other authorities the translation was set for March 21, 1935. Although
the Bishop stressed that the canonical directions for the translation of a body
should be a rite resembling a funeral, the Church and people of Veroli could
not be contained. The translation was a festal event attended by more than
twenty thousand people. The lay sister with the hidden life had become a hero
returning in glory.
A monument now marks the
residence where Blessed Fortunata was born. Her work room and cell are kept as
a shrine, in the same condition as when Blessed Fortunata died. Her remains are
now encased in a wax effigy inside a glass casket located in the convent chapel
of Santa Maria dei Franconi. The city of Veroli commissioned a beautiful statue
that graces a lovely little park adjacent to the Cathedral where our Blessed
was baptized, confirmed, and received her first communion. Murals depicting
Blessed Fortunata adorn the cathedral interior.
After the translation of
her remains, the process of Sister Fortunata’s beatification captured the
attention of the Roman Curia so that the cause for her canonization moved
quickly. She was declared a Servant of God and her writings, as few and simple
as they are due to the blessed’s virtual illiteracy, were collected and
submitted to the Congregation of Saints for review for freedom from error. They
were approved and Sister Fortunata could now be a Venerable; February 24, 1937.
Father Locher’s biography
was translated into English by Father Stephen Radtke, O.S.B., and published in
the United States by the Sisters of the Benedictine Convent of Perpetual
Adoration in Clyde, Missouri. It was already in its second edition in 1940.
Accounts of Venerable Fortunata’s life and of the miracles received through her
intercession were published by periodicals around the world. American Father
Henry Becker, O.S.B., was appointed vice-postulator of Sister Fortunata’s
cause. A group of co-workers were chosen from Benedictine monasteries
throughout North America, which included Father Martin Pollard, O.S.B., of
Mount Angel Abbey.
The monks of Mount Angel
began to promote Sister Fortunata’s cause in earnest through their national
publications, The Saint Joseph Magazine, and the German language newspaper, the
Saint Joseph’s Blatt. The Benedictine Press at the Abbey printed and distributed
leaflets and prayer cards in English and German which were translated and
further distributed in Italian and French. After World War II, Father Thomas
Brockhaus, O.S.B., editor of the Saint Joseph Magazine was appointed vice
postulator and continued to work with the Sisters in Veroli. Stories of Sister
Fortunata and testimonies of favors granted were regular parts of the St.
Joseph Magazine.
On October 8, 1967,
Sister Fortunata was beatified and the Benedictines around the world began to
celebrate her feast day liturgically on November 20. In his homily on the
occasion, Pope Paul VI extolled the virtues of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti and
acknowledged the favors granted through her intercession. The Holy Father
summarized the greatness of Blessed Fortunata in one word; humility, which she
practiced to perfection and which defined every aspect of her life as a nun.
Her cause for
canonization continued. When the Saint Joseph Magazine ceased publication, Fr.
Thomas and others after him continued promoting the cause for Sister Maria
Fortunata, but somehow the effort stalled and the Mount Angel promoter ceased
to exist. However, the annual celebration of Blessed Fortunata kept devotion to
her alive. Brother Claude Lane, O.S.B., wrote an icon of Blessed Fortunata in
2018 which is prominently placed in the monastic refectory.
Abbot Jeremy Driscoll,
O.S.B., of Mount Angel Abbey, led a pilgrimage to Italy in October of 2019
which included a visit to the tomb of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti and the
Benedictine Sisters of Santa Maria dei Franconi in Veroli. Fr. Odo Recker,
O.S.B., accompanied him and assisted him in planning and directing the
pilgrimage. The Sisters in Veroli made the visit a grand event.
Abbess Maria Aloysia
Ferrante, O.S.B., lifted the rule of enclosure and invited the entire pilgrim
group into the cloister; a rare and extraordinary privilege. With both the
Bishop and the Mayor of Veroli in attendance, Abbess Maria Aloysia welcomed the
group and thanked Abbot Jeremy and the monks of Mount Angel for their support
in promoting the cause for beatification through the years. Special tribute was
paid to Father Thomas Brockhaus, O.S.B., for his involvement in the process. He
was fondly remembered by the Sisters especially for the joy that exuded from him
during his visit with the sisters at the time of the Beatification in 1967.
Abbot Jeremy addressed the gathering in Italian (and translated in English)
expressing his gratitude for the sisters’ gracious hospitality and promising to
pray for the community and requesting the sisters’ prayers for Mount Angel
Abbey and Seminary.
Once the speeches were
over the pilgrims proceeded to the tomb of Blessed Fortunata. A prayer card had
been printed with Br. Claude’s icon with a prayer for a miracle. Together the
pilgrims prayed the prayer and proceeded to kiss and touch the tomb in silence.
Everyone was deeply touched by the visit. Some pilgrims have witnessed how it
“changed their lives.”
Upon their return to
Mount Angel, Abbot Jeremy and Father Odo related the experience to the
community. It was decided to add Blessed Fortunata to our list of patrons and
she is invoked along with other patrons every day after the noon meal. Fr. Odo
volunteered to re-start Mount Angel’s promotion of the cause for canonization
of Blessed Fortunata and communicate with the sisters in Veroli.
The initiative is now
underway, starting with the posting of information on Blessed Maria Fortunata
and the cause for her canonization. Prayer cards and leaflets will be produced
again and people will be encouraged to seek favors and miracles from God
through the intercession of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti. Once another miracle
is “credited” to the intercession of Blessed Fortunata, she will be eligible
for canonization and universal liturgical celebration of her feast.
For more information or
to obtain prayer cards for Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti, please email Fr. Odo Recker, O.S.B.
Humility is the virtue
that Maria Fortunata personifies. This insignificance is her greatness. We are
reminded of the Magnificat, and this alone speaks to her degree of
Christian authenticity and the depth of her spiritual perfection.
– POPE PAUL VI (1967)
SOURCE : https://www.mountangelabbey.org/monastery/blessed-maria-fortunata-viti/#4-1
Beata Maria
Fortunata Viti Benedettina
Veroli, Frosinone, 1827 -
novembre 1922
Anna Felice Viti era nata
a Veroli (Frosinone) nel 1827, figlia di un possidente dedito al vino e al
gioco. Perse la mamma a 14 anni. E lei si caricò molte responsabilità
nell'accudire gli otto fratelli e sorelle. Per mantenerli andò anche a servizio
come domestica. A 24 anni entrò tra le monache benedettine di Santa Maria de'
Franconi a Veroli, dette le «monache buone». E mutò il nome in Maria Fortunata.
La sua giornata era scandita, oltre che dalla preghiera, dai compiti più umili:
filare e cucire. Visse oltre 70 anni nell'anonimato della sua cella. Alla sua
morte, nel 1922, 95enne, fu seppellita nella fossa comune. Ma il suo nome restò
e Papa Paolo VI la proclamò beata. (Avvenire)
Martirologio
Romano: A Veroli nel Lazio, beata Maria Fortunata (Anna Felice) Viti, dell’Ordine
di San Benedetto, che per quasi tutto il corso della sua vita svolse l’incarico
di guardarobiera, intenta solo ad osservare con tutto il cuore i precetti della
regola.
Di eccezionale in questa vita non c’è proprio niente, a parte una straordinaria longevità: quasi 96 anni, ma di una vita così umile, nascosta, insignificante direbbe qualcuno, che quasi si fa fatica a parlarne. Le premesse non sono delle più felici: il papà è un ricco possidente di Veroli che si rovina salute e portafoglio grazie alla sua passione per il gioco e alla sua tendenza a consolarsi con troppi bicchieri di vino. La mamma muore di crepacuore a 36 anni dopo aver dato alla luce nove figli e lei, a 14 anni, si ritrova mammina precoce degli altri otto. Ha così tanto da fare che non riesce a pensare a sé e nemmeno al suo futuro. La sua maggiore occupazione è fare in modo che in casa tutti rispettino quel padre collerico, alcolizzato e ridotto in miseria, come è capace di fare lei, che ogni sera gli bacia la mano e gli chiede la benedizione, ingoiando lacrime e umiliazioni: e pensare che l’avevano battezzata Anna Felice e da suora l’avrebbero chiamata Fortunata! A 24 anni, infatti, decide di entrare nel convento delle “monache buone”, cioè le benedettine della sua città. Si conserva di lei il fermo proposito, formulato in quel giorno, di “farsi santa”: non sa che per raggiungere l’obiettivo dovrà vivere più di 70 anni, “sepolta viva” nell’anonimato della sua cella, con giornate tutte uguali, scandite da azioni ripetitive che qualcuno potrebbe anche definire monotone: filare e cucire, lavare e rammendare. E pregare, anche se questo per lei non dovrebbe essere un problema, assorbita come sempre sembra nella contemplazione del suo Dio. Soltanto dopo si potrà scoprire quanta aridità spirituale si nascondeva dietro quel suo fervore; quanti tormenti ed intimi combattimenti venivano coperti dalla sua apparente imperturbabile serenità. Non sa né leggere né scrivere per le sue ben note vicende familiari e così non può essere ammessa tra le “coriste”, cioè le monache che si dedicano alle funzioni liturgiche. Per lei soltanto il lavoro, con la giornata che inizia alle tre e mezza di mattinata e prosegue in azioni faticose e umili, che lei compie così bene da farle diventare un capolavoro, condendole con tanta preghiera anche in mezzo alla più completa aridità spirituale. Frusta di lavoro e consumata dagli anni, tormentata dai reumatismi che negli ultimi anni la costringono a letto, incapace anche del più piccolo movimento, si spegne cieca, sorda e rattrappita, dopo 72 anni di clausura, nel 1922. Di lei sembra non accorgersi nessuno e così la seppelliscono in fretta, il giorno dopo, nella fossa comune. Ma la tirano fuori 13 anni dopo, a furor di popolo, e la seppelliscono in chiesa, tanti sono i miracoli che si verificano sulla sua tomba. E non basta: Paolo VI, nel 1967, proclama beata Suor Maria Fortunata Viti, la suora che, lavorando e sorridendo, si era fatta santa nella monotonia del quotidiano, nel chiuso di un convento e con un sacco di malanni, e che da allora possiamo festeggiare il 20 novembre.
Autore: Gianpiero Pettiti
SOURCE : http://santiebeati.it/search/jump.cgi?ID=90442
SOLENNE BEATIFICAZIONE DI
MARIA FORTUNATA VITI
OMELIA DI PAOLO VI
Domenica, 8 ottobre 1967
FELICITAZIONI ALLA
INSIGNE FAMIGLIA BENEDETTINA
Terminata felicemente la
lunga procedura della beatificazione di Maria Fortunata Viti, e conclusa ora la
sacra cerimonia, nella quale abbiamo per ciò reso grazie a Dio e tributato
onore a questa sua Figlia della Chiesa celeste, Noi esprimeremo le Nostre
felicitazioni alla famiglia religiosa che l’ha educata alla santità nella
Chiesa terrena, a quella famiglia benedettina, che è stata «scuola del divino
servizio», per tanti secoli e per innumerevoli anime, tanto nel ramo maschile,
che in quello femminile, e che oggi si allieta di annoverare fra le schiere
delle anime elette, riconosciute degne dell’eterno premio, questa umile sua
alunna, la quale testimonia col silenzioso suffragio delle virtù cristiane
professate in grado eminente la perenne fecondità del grande albero, piantato
da San Benedetto, e valido sempre a ornarsi di nuovi fiori e di nuovi frutti
nelle stagioni tempestose della storia, quando dalla primitiva radice attinge
con fedeltà la sua linfa evangelica.
LA NUOVA GLORIA DEL LAZIO
E DELLE REGIONI CIRCOSTANTI
Ci congratuliamo con
tutto l’ordine benedettino, che vediamo qui rappresentato in maniera tanto
cospicua; e volgiamo in augurio per la sua stabilità, per il suo incremento,
per la sua santificazione il gaudio che Noi stessi proviamo nel riconoscergli
il merito d’aver dato al mondo un nuovo saggio della sua tipica santità. Cosi
vogliamo felicitarci col monastero delle Benedettine di Veroli, che ebbe la
fortuna d’aver membro della sua pia ed austera comunità la nuova Beata, per
oltre settanta anni, e le fu ambiente fervoroso e raccolto di formazione allo
spirito religioso e di esercizio delle virtù claustrali; e siamo sicuri che,
auspice la protezione della gloriosa sorella, gli esempi da lei lasciati
avranno nel monastero di Santa Maria de’ Franconi sempre fedele memoria e
perpetua sequela. Ci è parimente grato pensare che l’esultanza del monastero di
Veroli s’irradierà su tutte le Figlie di San Benedetto e di Santa Scolastica
nell’intera Chiesa di Dio, e conforterà quei propositi di costanza nelle loro
provate tradizioni e di rinnovamento postconciliare di vita religiosa, dei
quali Ci fu edificante testimonianza l’incontro, che Noi avemmo con le
Abbadesse e con le Priore dei monasteri benedettini in Italia, nell’ottobre
scorso. Né vogliamo dimenticare nel coro di questa spirituale letizia la
diocesi di Veroli e Frosinone, il suo degno Pastore qui presente, il suo Clero,
i suoi Fedeli, e le vicine Abbazie celeberrime di Montecassino e di Casamari;
così pure tutta quella cara regione di Ciociaria, con le sue Autorità civili,
che vediamo qui degnamente rappresentate, e la sua popolazione, che avemmo lo
scorso anno la soddisfazione di incontrare in una Nostra brevissima, ma
indimenticabile visita a quei luoghi illustri per memorie pontificie; sì,
esulti tutta la valle del Sacco e il sovrastante Abruzzo e la vicina Campania
per questo religioso avvenimento, che esaltando all’onore degli altari una
modesta, ma degna e singolare e autentica donna di quella terra benedetta, ne
rievoca la storia intessuta di fede e di lavoro, ne personifica l’ingenua ed
umana virtù, e ne impegna la presente e le successive generazioni alla sua
secolare e rifiorente vocazione cristiana.
FISIONOMIA SPIRITUALE
DELLA BEATA
Ed ecco che prima di
sciogliere questa sacra riunione, la prima celebrativa della nuova Beata, noi
vorremmo riportarne nei cuori la pia e dolce figura, non tanto nei suoi
lineamenti sensibili, che, sebbene a noi ignoti nella loro fisica immagine, ci
è facile immaginare simili a quelli di tante religiose raccolte e composte
nella loro severa uniforme, spiranti verginale candore e spirituale serenità -
tali, dicono i biografi, furono appunto le sembianze di Maria Fortunata, velate
insieme ed ornate di monastica povertà e di deliziosa innocenza - quanto
piuttosto ci piacerebbe definire a noi stessi la fisionomia spirituale della
Beata, e recarne con noi, in sintesi, l’immagine agiografica, vista e compresa
con un solo sguardo nel suo aspetto caratteristico, a nostro stimolo e
conforto, ed a confronto con altre figure di anime sante, delle quali la Chiesa
del cielo possiede bellissima varietà.
Sarebbe allora questo il
momento di tessere il panegirico di questa nuova Beata; e la lineare uniformità
della sua lunghissima vita sembrerebbe tentarne la prova, con facilità, come se
fosse subito fatta. Ma non faremo questo panegirico; in primo luogo, perché una
sua qualsiasi fedeltà narrativa e una qualsiasi introspezione psicologica di
quella vita stessa Ci obbligherebbe a ben lunghe dissertazioni: la vita di
Madre Fortunata, quantunque contenuta nello schema semplicissimo e disadorno
d’una conversa in un monastero di clausura, non è povera, non è monotona, non è
priva di delicate e complicate esperienze spirituali e di riferimenti quanto
mai istruttivi con i costumi e con gli avvenimenti del tempo suo. Vi sarebbe
infatti molto da dire. Ci compiacciamo con i biografi della Beata che hanno
saputo mettere in interessante rilievo la ricchezza ascetica e mistica della
sua povera vita. È nelle vostre mani il bel volume che descrive il profilo
agiografico della Beata Maria Fortunata; ed è questa la seconda ragione che Ci
dispensa dal parlare più a lungo di lei; sarà utile per chiunque vorrà fare
migliore conoscenza della nuova Beata concedersi l’agio d’una tranquilla
lettura di quelle pagine edificanti.
NELLA UMILTÀ IL MOTIVO
PRECIPUO DEL TRIONFO
Ma ciò non Ci dispensa
dal condensare in una sola parola questa vita, questa santità, quasi per
classificare sotto tale parola quanto di lei si può dire; e la parola è umiltà.
L’abbiamo espressa anche nel Breve di beatificazione; e pare a Noi cogliere il
lato più vero di quella esistenza, come pure la ragione precipua della sua
presente glorificazione, la quale ad altro non mira che a mettere in vista il
riflesso della legge evangelica in quell’anima che di tale riflesso ha fatto
sua perfezione.
Umiltà: Maria Fortunata
personifica questa virtù. La sua grandezza è questa piccolezza. Siamo nel
quadro del Magnificat; e questo già dice il grado d’autenticità cristiana
e di profondità spirituale della perfezione propria di Maria Fortunata.
L’umiltà è il suo messaggio; il quale ci invita e quasi ci obbliga a ripensare
la paradossale esigenza della vita cristiana, fondata appunto sopra una
convinta coscienza della propria nullità e sopra l’applicazione pratica di tale
coscienza, sia nel giudizio personale che il cristiano deve coltivare di sé,
sia nel confronto depressivo (così difficile!), ch’egli deve subire nella
conversazione col prossimo, e sia nel colloquio accusatore della propria
miseria a cui la presenza di Dio lo chiama, il colloquio della suprema
sincerità e della abissale necessità di divina misericordia. E che l’umiltà sia
reclamata da Cristo, come prima condizione dell’ammissione al suo regno, non ha
bisogno di prove; basti ricordare fra le tante, di cui è pieno il Vangelo, la
parola che sembra definire Maria Fortunata, oggi rivelata prima fra gli ultimi:
«Se non vi convertirete e se non vi farete come i bambini, non entrerete nel
regno dei cieli» (Matth. 18, 3). Maria Fortunata è così; e questo spiega
com’ella abbia preferito il più basso livello nella stessa vita religiosa, e
come con vittoriosa naturalezza vi abbia svolto il suo nascosto e soggetto
programma di perfezione.
GLI INSEGNAMENTI DEL
GRANDE PATRIARCA DELLA VITA RELIGIOSA
San Benedetto le fu
maestro. Tutti conoscono la celebre pagina della sua regola monastica, dove
parla dei gradi dell’umiltà (c. VII); e dove a Noi pare scorgere la risposta
alla gravissima obiezione che contro l’umiltà solleva la coscienza dell’uomo,
di quello moderno in ispecie, che fa di se stesso vertice d’ogni valore e parla
della propria personalità come del tesoro più prezioso da conquistare e da
custodire; pagina, diciamo, dove si parla d’un duplice movimento dell’anima che
si fa alunna della scuola d’umiltà cristiana: un movimento di discesa e un
movimento di salita. San Benedetto svolge la sua lezione ricordando la biblica
scala di Giacobbe: exaltatione descendere et humilitate ascendere; è il
duplice movimento spontaneo e trascinante dell’anima che viene a contatto con
Dio. L’umiltà è virtù fondamentalmente religiosa. Chi viene a contatto con Dio
è al tempo stesso sprofondato nella avvertenza della metafisica realtà della
propria piccolezza, della propria miseria, della propria nullità; ed è insieme
sollevato all’inebriante e vertiginosa altezza della vicinanza di Dio e alla
illuminata coscienza dei doni ineffabili che da Lui ci derivano; così che
davvero «chi si umilia sarà esaltato, e chi si esalta sarà umiliato» (Matth.
23, 12), e che nulla perde di ciò ch’è vero, grande, unico nell’uomo che fa
dell’umiltà evangelica la filosofia del suo pensiero, la sapienza cristiana
della sua vita; anzi in tale umiltà scopre la vera gerarchia dei valori, e
quasi senz’avvedersene fa propri quelli che la bontà di Dio mette a sua
disposizione: è questo il tesoro degli umili, dove tutto è bello, perché porta
il divino riflesso, tutto è pieno di pace, di letizia, di speranza, perché
appunto agli umili questi doni superiori sono rivelati ed offerti
(cf. Matth. 11, 25). Maria Fortunata ci si presenta appunto così; e sembra
con quel suo sembiante soave e con quelle sue misteriose parole: «Potenza e
carità di Dio!» introdurci nei sentieri aspri e veri e lieti della perfezione
evangelica. Diciamo ora a noi stessi la verità: un senso di confusione, non
forse di umiltà, ma piuttosto di umiliazione ci sorprende: ella, sì, ha saputo
«humilitate ascendere»; e a noi resta di ammirare, invocare e, Dio voglia, imitare.
UNA SCHIERA DI ONORE
LETIZIA SPERANZA SANTITÀ
Ed a questo punto il
Nostro sguardo, dalla visione della nuova Beata, si allarga sulla schiera
immensa delle Religiose cattoliche: claustrali assorte nel canto della lode
divina e suore affaccendate nei più vari esercizi della carità, nelle scuole,
negli ospedali, nelle missioni, anche esse tutte coperte dal velo oscuro
dell’anonima umiltà e tutte protese nella ricerca dell’amor di Dio e del
prossimo, d’una sognata perfezione evangelica. Il loro nome è umile sacrificio
e fiammante amore; e tutte sembrano riflettere il sorriso, la purezza, il
coraggio, l’obbedienza, il lavoro, la pietà di Maria Fortunata. Quante, quante
sorelle seguono i tuoi. passi, o Beata! Quanto quieto splendore inonda da loro
sulla Chiesa! A vedere il Popolo di Dio ingemmato da Te, o Beata Maria
Fortunata, e dal loro generoso dono a Cristo Gesù, la Tua beatificazione, o
Maria Fortunata, con la lunga schiera delle pie seguaci, si fa nostra letizia,
e con nuovo ardore, con nuova speranza benediciamo il Signore.
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
SOURCE : https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/it/homilies/1967/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19671008.html
20 NOVEMBRE
BEATA MARIA FORTUNATA
VITI
Veroli, Frosinone, 1827 -
novembre 1922
Anna Felice Viti era nata
a Veroli (Frosinone) nel 1827, figlia di un possidente dedito al vino e al
gioco. Perse la mamma a 14 anni. E lei si caricò molte responsabilità
nell'accudire gli otto fratelli e sorelle. Per mantenerli andò anche a servizio
come domestica. A 24 anni entrò tra le monache benedettine di Santa Maria de'
Franconi a Veroli, dette le «monache buone». E mutò il nome in Maria Fortunata.
La sua giornata era scandita, oltre che dalla preghiera, dai compiti più umili:
filare e cucire. Visse oltre 70 anni nell'anonimato della sua cella. Alla sua
morte, nel 1922, 95enne, fu seppellita nella fossa comune. Ma il suo nome restò
e Papa Paolo VI la proclamò beata. (Avvenire)
TRIDUO IN ONORE DELLA SS.
TRINITA'
per ottenere grazie ad
intercessione di suor Maria Fortunata
Vi adorano e ringraziamo,
o Eterno Divin Padre, supplicandoVi per i favori di cui colmaste Suor M.
Fortunata, Vostra fedele Serva, a concederci il dono delle fede e la grazia
particolare che domandiamo: (Pater, Ave, Gloria).
Vi adoriamo e ringraziamo, O Eterno Divin Figlio, supplicandoVi per i favori di cui colmaste Suor M. Fortunata, Vostra fedele Serva, a concederci il dono della speranza e la grazia particolare che domandiamo: (Pater, Ave, Gloria).
VI adoriamo e ringraziamo,
o Eterno Divino Spirito, supplicandoVi per favori di cui colmaste Suor M.
Fortunata, Vostra fedele Serva, Vostra fedele Serva, a concederci il dono della
carità e la grazia particolare che domandiamo: (Pater, Ave, Gloria).
Potenza e Carità di
Dio.... pietà di noi!
PREGHIERA
Dio benignissimo, che
amate i cuori vergini e semplici, per le virtù che ornarono la Vostra
fedelissima Serva Suor Maria Fortunata, e che la resero a Voi tanto cara qui in
terra da trovare in essa In Vostre compiacenze, mostrateci la gloria che ora
gode in cielo, degnandoVi di innalzarla agli onori degli altari. Fate che le
sue virtù ci siano di sprone per abbracciare con generosità le tribulazioni
della vita, adempiendo sempre e in tutto i divini voleri e, così vivendo,
meritare di vedere un giorno a faccia svelata il Vostro Volto Divino. Così
sia.
SOURCE : https://www.preghiereperlafamiglia.it/maria-fortunata-viti.htm
Den salige Maria
Fortunata Viti (1827-1922)
Minnedag: 20.
november
Den salige Maria
Fortunata ble født som Anna Felice Viti den 10. februar 1827 i familiens hus i
Veroli ved Frosinone i regionen Lazio i Italia, sørøst for Roma. Foreldrene var
Luigi Viti og Anna Bono og hun var den tredje av deres ni barn. Faren drev en
ganske vellykket fabrikk i nærliggende Frosinone. Men da Anna Felice var tidlig
i tenårene, fikk familien et dobbelt slag. Luigi mistet eller ble frasvindlet
sine penger og mistet fabrikken, og omtrent samtidig døde hans hustru av et
hjerteattakk, bare 36 år gammel.
Faren var så rystet av
sine tap at han ble fullstendig apatisk og ute av stand til å ta seg av sin
store familie, og han ble redusert til en alkoholisert gambler. Ettersom en
eldre søster hadde gått i kloster, var det Anna som ikke bare ble en «mor» for
sine syv brødre og søstre, men også «far», i den forstand at hun gikk i
tjeneste hos en nabofamilie for å tjene penger som de alle kunne leve av. Faren
døde den 22. mars 1875.
En stund ble hun
oppvartet av en velstående ung mann fra Alatri, men etter definitivt å ha
bestemt seg for ikke å gifte seg med ham, trådte den 24-årige Anna den 21. mars
1851 inn i benediktinerordenen (Ordo Sancti Benedicti – OSB) i
klosteret Santa Maria dei Franconi i hjembyen Veroli. Hun tok ordensnavnet
Maria Fortunata.
I klosteret ventet henne
et vanskelig valg. Selv om hun hadde hatt lite skolegang og ikke kunne lese og
skrive godt, merket hennes overordnede seg hennes intelligens noe som de mente
kunne gjøre henne skikket til et liv som korsøster. De tilbød seg å fortsette
hennes utdannelse som forberedelse til dette kallet. Men Maria Fortunata avslo
og foretrakk det enklere livet som legsøster. Hos benediktinerne utfører
legsøstrene husarbeidet i kommuniteten. I nesten 72 år gjorde hun ikke annet
enn å leve ut det benediktinske idealet «ora et labora», bønn og arbeid, basert
på nestekjærlighet.
Hennes arbeid som
legsøster besto av alt slags arbeid i huset. Spesielt tok hun seg av klærne og
altertekstilene, en tid var hun assisterende leder for sykestuen og en tid var
hun portnerske. Hun forsøkte å holde seg i bakgrunnen, men besøkende oppsøkte
henne. Hun hadde åpenbart den gaven å kunne se inn i menneskenes hjerter og gi
dem de oppmuntrende ordene de trengte.
Gud ga henne flere
overnaturlige evner, men de ble stort sett holdt hemmelig av hennes medsøstre,
skriftefedre og venner til etter hennes død. En av gavene var profetier. En
gang under messen begynte hun å gråte, for hun hadde sett at presten ville
forlate sitt kall, og hun var fylt av sorg for og med ham. Hun forutsa også at
en annen prest ville slutte, men at han ville angre og komme tilbake.
Hennes Kristussentrerte
fromhet, uttrykt i tidens språk, var av tilfeldige grunner influert av
pasjonistenes og kapusinernes spiritualitet, men hun var i alt vesentlig
benediktiner. Hun var kjent for sin ydmykhet, og hennes kjærlighet til bønn,
munterhet og utrettelige arbeid gjorde henne til et mønster på monastiske
dyder. Hun døde den 20. november 1922 i Veroli, 95 år gammel.
Allerede mens hun levde
ble hun æret som en helgen, og påfallende bønnesvar skjedde etter hennes død. I
1935 ble hennes jordiske rester overført til klosterkirken og en
saligkåringsprosess ble igangsatt. Den 8. april 1964 ble hennes «heroiske
dyder» anerkjent og hun fikk tittelen Venerabilis («Ærverdig»). Den
17. juli 1967 undertegnet pave Paul VI (1963-78) dekretet fra
Helligkåringskongregasjonen som godkjente to mirakler på hennes forbønn. Hun
ble saligkåret av pave Paul VI den 8. oktober 1967. To kvinner som var blitt
helbredet for hjernehinnebetennelse på hennes forbønn da de var barn, var til
stede under saligkåringen. Hennes minnedag er dødsdagen 20. november.
Kilder:
Attwater/Cumming, Butler (XI), Benedictines, Ball (1), Schauber/Schindler,
Index99, Patron Saints SQPN, Infocatho, Bautz, Heiligenlexikon, Abbaye
Saint-Benoît - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Opprettet: 2000-09-01 00:16 -
Sist oppdatert: 2005-08-24 21:34
SOURCE : http://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/mviti
Voir aussi : http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/misc/Angels_Demons/ANGES_viti.pdf
