Clelia Barbieri
Clelia Barbieri was an Italian Catholic and the founder of the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows. Regarded as the youngest founder of a religious congregation in Catholic history, she dedicated her life to serving others after declining marriage in her youth. She is remembered for her piety, her educational work, and the founding of her religious order.
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Born in 1847 in Le Budrie, San Giovanni in Persiceto, Italy.
- ›Founded the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata" (Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows) on may 1, 1868, at age 21.
- ›Served as an assistant teacher for "the Workers of Christian Catechism" and guided girls in doctrine.
- ›Died of tuberculosis in 1870 at the age of 23.
- ›Her canonization cause began in 1930, with beatification in 1968 and canonization in 1989.
- ›Her voice is reported to be heard during scriptural readings and songs within her order's houses.
Clelia Rachele Maria
Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows
About Clelia Barbieri
Clelia Barbieri (1847–1870) was an Italian Catholic laywoman who founded the religious congregation known as the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows. She is notable for being recognized as the youngest founder of a religious congregation within the history of the Catholic Church, having died at the age of twenty-three.
Life and Ministry
Born in the village of Le Budrie, San Giovanni in Persiceto, Italy, Clelia Barbieri came from a family of poor workers. Her father died during a cholera epidemic in 1855, leading her to work alongside her mother spinning hemp to support her siblings. Despite her impoverished background, she was raised in a pious household and received religious education. She made her First Communion on June 17, 1858.
In 1861, Barbieri joined "The Workers of Christian Catechism" as an assistant teacher. Her inspirational leadership led the parish priest to entrust her with the teaching and guidance of girls in doctrine. She consistently rejected marriage proposals, opting instead for a life of service. At the age of twenty-one, she founded a separate group, the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata" (Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows) on May 1, 1868. This group began to minister to the poor and sick in the local area.
Barbieri died of tuberculosis in 1870. Her religious order has since expanded its ministry to locations such as Tanzania and India, with a significant number of religious houses across various communities.
Sainthood
Barbieri's journey to sainthood began with her being declared a Servant of God on March 15, 1930. Her cause progressed with her beatification on October 27, 1968, by Pope Paul VI, following the confirmation of two miracles attributed to her intercession. The definitive miracle for her canonization was approved, and Pope John Paul II formally canonized Clelia Barbieri as a saint on April 9, 1989.
The Voice Phenomenon
Following Barbieri's death, an unusual phenomenon has been reported in the parishes she visited and in the houses of her order: her voice is often heard during scriptural readings and songs. This voice is described as being heard as part of a group and is distinct from any other heard by those reporting the experience. The first account of this occurrence dates back to 1871 during the sisters' evening meditation.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Clelia Barbieri born and when did she die?
Clelia Barbieri was born on February 13, 1847, and died on July 13, 1870. She passed away at the young age of 23.
What religious order did Clelia Barbieri found?
Clelia Barbieri founded the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata", known in English as the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows. She established this order on May 1, 1868, when she was 21 years old.
Why is Clelia Barbieri considered significant in the Catholic Church?
She is regarded as the youngest founder of a religious congregation in the history of the Catholic Church. She dedicated her life to serving the needs of others, declining marriage in favor of a pious life of service.
What has been reported about Clelia Barbieri after her death?
An unusual phenomenon reported after her death is that her voice is often heard during scriptural readings and songs, always as part of a group. This has been reported in parishes she visited and in the houses of her order.
When was Clelia Barbieri canonized?
Clelia Barbieri was canonized on April 9, 1989, by Pope John Paul II. Her cause for sainthood began with her being declared Servant of God in 1930 and progressed through her beatification in 1968.
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