March 21--St. Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello, Religious

St. Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello by Unknown Artist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

“Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). Where do we hear the word of Christ? First, from our parents in the domestic church of the family. Then from our priests in the parish church. But many of us have received the privilege of hearing the word of Christ in our schools! Catholic education has been central to the mission of the Church. Today’s saint provided another way in which to enrich the faith of children, and especially, girls, through the word of Christ.

St. Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello was born in 1791 in Italy and died on March 21, 1858. Her Vatican biography states: “She was wife, religious and foundress. She let the Holy Spirit guide her through married life to the work of education and religious consecration. She founded a school for the formation of young women and also a religious congregation, and did both with the generous collaboration of her husband. This is unique in the annals of Christian sanctity. Benedetta was a pioneer in her determination to give a high quality education to young women, for the formation of families for a ‘new Christian society’ and for promoting the right of women to a complete education.” “Along with instruction, she joined formation in catechesis and in useful skills like cooking and sewing, aiming to transform her students into ‘models of Christian life’ and so assure the formation of families.” She was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002.

Catholic education is an efficient ministry which shares the word of Christ and brings about salvation to our children. It is not a luxury, but a necessity for the benefit of our children, our families, our society, and our future. St. Benedetta, pray for us!