June 6—Bl. Maria Laura Mainetti, Religious and Martyr

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Sr. Maria Laura Mainetti was declared Blessed on June 6, 2021, the anniversary of her murder in 2000 by three teenage girls, former catechism students of hers. She was stabbed 19 times, the intent being for each one to stab her six times to represent the number 666. They originally told investigators they wanted to kill her for a game, but later said it was a satanic sacrifice. All three girls were convicted and sentenced as juveniles and released by 2008. They have since changed their names and relocated to other cities, starting families. 

 Sr. Mainetti was the superior of the Sisters of the Cross convent in Chiavenna in the Italian Alps, north of Milan. She was well known for her ministry to youth and poor people. She was lured to a park because one of the girls claimed to be considering an abortion. They made her kneel, beat her with a brick and pushed her head into a wall and stabbed her to death. Throughout the attack Sr. Mainetti prayed for them and asked God to forgive them. Her last words were, “Lord, forgive them.” She was declared a martyr by Pope Francis. 

 One of the girls later wrote a letter to Sr. Mainetti’s religious community: “I can have of her only a memory of love. And in addition to this, it also allowed me to believe in something that is neither God nor Satan, but which was a simple woman who defeated evil. Now in her I find comfort and the grace to endure everything. I always pray and I am sure she will help me become a better person.” This is as enduring a testimony as any to the power of God’s love as shown through God’s witness and martyr, Bl. Maria Laura Mainetti.

*https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-laura-mainetti/

March 15—St. Louise de Marillac, Widow and Religious

Although most people don’t know it, there is a difference between a sister and a nun.  A nun belongs to a cloistered order, where she spends her time in prayer within a religious community.  A sister goes out into the community and spends her time serving the poor, the sick, and the ignorant by being a nurse, teacher, social worker, etc.  St. Louise de Marillac was the first woman to found a religious order of sisters, the Sisters of Charity.  In 17^th century France, the poor were usually aided by rich ladies of society.  St. Louise, along with St. Vincent de Paul, realized that serving the poor would be better if those who served were of the same social class as the poor.  The Sisters of Charity expanded their ministry to orphanages, the elderly, the mentally ill, prisoners, and soldiers in the field.

Jesus said to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, shelter the homeless, and bury the dead, the Corporal Works of Mercy.  The Church has always answered this charge, but it was St. Louise who did it in a new and innovative fashion, which has led to thousands of religious orders of sisters who go out into the world.  St. Louise is the patron saint of social workers, and though the Church is not just about social work, she serves because she sees her savior in each person she serves.  Many of us are indebted to sisters who have taught us and ministered to our needs.  During Lent, let us remember to love and serve by imitating St. Louise de Marillac by our acts of kindness.