Maria Bertilla Boscardin
Maria Bertilla Boscardin was an Italian nun and nurse known for her unwavering devotion to duty, particularly in caring for sick children and victims of World War I air raids. She is recognized as a patron saint of the rejected and abused due to her own difficult upbringing and compassionate care for the neglected. Canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, she is remembered for her humble service and profound faith.
- Feast Day
- October 20
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Born Anna Francesca Boscardin on October 6, 1888, she was known as Annette in her family and town.
- ›Despite a difficult upbringing and being considered slow and not particularly intelligent, she was accepted into the Teachers of Saint Dorothy in 1904.
- ›She trained as a nurse and worked with victims of diphtheria in a children's ward, showing particular devotion during the air raids of Treviso.
- ›Her health deteriorated due to a painful tumor, and she died on October 20, 1922, at the age of 34.
- ›She was canonized a saint in 1961 and is known as a patron saint of the rejected, lonely, and abused.
Annette, Maria Bertilla
the Rejected, the Abused, the Lonely
Teachers of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Heart
About Maria Bertilla Boscardin
Maria Bertilla Boscardin (born Anna Francesca Boscardin, October 6, 1888 – October 20, 1922) was an Italian nun and nurse who is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. She is remembered for her profound dedication to her duties, particularly in caring for sick children and those affected by the air raids of World War I. Due to her own challenging early life and her compassionate care for the vulnerable, she is recognized as a patron saint of the rejected and abused.
Early Life and Vocation
Born into a peasant family in Brendola, Veneto, Anna Francesca Boscardin, known as Annette, faced significant hardship. Her father was described as jealous, violent, and often drunk. Her education was irregular as she was needed to help at home and in the fields, and she also worked as a servant. Despite not displaying notable talents and being subject to insults, she was permitted to receive her First Holy Communion early and later joined the "Children of Mary" association. After being initially rejected by one religious order due to perceived slowness, she was accepted into the Teachers of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Heart, in Vicenza in 1904, where she took the name Maria Bertilla. She internalized some of the criticisms she faced, expressing a desire to learn and become a saint.
Nursing and World War I
Sister Maria Bertilla trained as a nurse at the municipal hospital in Treviso, which was under the direction of her order. She was eventually promoted to working with diphtheria patients in the hospital's children's ward. During the air raids of Treviso following the Battle of Caporetto, the military took control of the hospital. Sister Bertilla remained steadfast in her care for her patients, especially those too ill to be moved. Her dedication attracted attention, but her superioress initially reassigned her to the laundry. A higher superior eventually placed her in charge of the children's isolation ward.
Death and Canonization
Sister Bertilla's health deteriorated, exacerbated by a painful tumor that required an operation from which she did not recover. She died in 1922 at the age of 34. Her reputation for simplicity and devoted hard work left a lasting impression. Following her death, her tomb in Vicenza became a pilgrimage site where miracles of healing were reported. In 1961, she was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Her feast day is observed on October 20.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Maria Bertilla Boscardin?
Maria Bertilla Boscardin was an Italian nun and nurse who lived from 1888 to 1922. She is remembered for her devoted care of sick children and victims of World War I.
Why is Maria Bertilla Boscardin considered a patron saint?
She is recognized as a patron saint of the rejected and abused due to her own difficult upbringing and her compassionate work with those who were neglected. She is also known as a patron of the lonely.
What was Maria Bertilla Boscardin's early life like?
Born Anna Francesca Boscardin, she came from a peasant family and had a challenging childhood marked by her father's difficult behavior. She had to help with household chores and field work, limiting her schooling. She was also sometimes teased and insulted by others.
What was Maria Bertilla Boscardin's work as a nurse?
After joining an order, she trained as a nurse and worked in a hospital's children's ward, caring for victims of diphtheria. During the air raids of World War I, she showed unwavering dedication to her patients, especially those unable to be moved to safety.
When is Maria Bertilla Boscardin's feast day?
Her feast day is celebrated on October 20, the anniversary of her death.
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