Maria De Mattias
Maria De Mattias was an Italian woman who founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. She is remembered for her devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus and for establishing over 70 communities of her order throughout Europe. Canonized in 2003, she is a saint in the Catholic Church.
- Feast Day
- February 4
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Maria De Mattias was born on February 4, 1805, in Vallecorsa, Italy.
- ›She founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ on March 4, 1834.
- ›Her religious order was founded as an active teaching order focused on devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus.
- ›She traveled extensively throughout Italy for over 30 years to establish communities of her Sisters.
- ›During her lifetime, the Congregation established over 70 communities throughout Europe.
- ›She died in Rome on August 20, 1866, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ
Gold Heart Imprinted With Three Drops of Blood
About Maria De Mattias
Maria Matilda De Mattias (1805–1866) was an Italian woman who founded the religious congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. She is recognized as a saint within the Catholic Church, having been canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003. De Mattias is chiefly remembered for her dedication to the Precious Blood of Jesus and her establishment of an active religious order focused on caring for the needy.
Life and Historical Context
Born into a period of significant political turmoil and economic hardship in Italy, Maria De Mattias came from a religious and upper-class family in Vallecorsa. Her early life was marked by the dangers posed by bandits, which limited her ability to play freely outdoors. Despite the societal norms that generally restricted formal education for women, she taught herself to read and write. In her mid-teens, she was described as withdrawn and focused on her appearance, but a mystical vision at the age of 16 marked a turning point, inspiring her to break away from her sheltered upbringing and embrace a spiritual path.
Religious Life and Founding of the Congregation
In 1822, the preaching of Gaspar del Bufalo in her town deeply influenced Maria De Mattias, leading her to dedicate her life to serving the needy and spreading the Gospel. Under the guidance of Giovanni Merlini, the successor of del Bufalo, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ on March 4, 1834. This order was established as an apostolic, active teaching order rather than a monastic one. The congregation received papal approval in 1855. Maria De Mattias made a public vow of chastity and received a symbolic gold heart with three drops of blood from her spiritual director, John Merlini. She dedicated over three decades to traveling throughout Italy, establishing over 70 communities for her Sisters across Europe by the time of her death. These communities often faced poverty but were committed to sharing what they had with the poor.
Veneration and Legacy
Maria De Mattias died in Rome on August 20, 1866, and was buried in Campo Verano Cemetery. The process for her canonization began in 1896. She was beatified by Pope Pius XII on October 1, 1950, and subsequently canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 18, 2003. Her feast day is celebrated on February 4, her birthday. Today, the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ continue her mission, with nearly 2,000 members serving worldwide in countries including Italy, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Guatemala, Liberia, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Maria De Mattias born?
Maria De Mattias was born on February 4, 1805. Her birth year marks the beginning of a life dedicated to religious service and the founding of a significant religious congregation.
What religious order did Maria De Mattias found?
Maria De Mattias founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. She established this order on March 4, 1834, under the guidance of Giovanni Merlini.
Why is Maria De Mattias important?
Maria De Mattias is important as the foundress of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ and for her deep devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus. She dedicated her life to caring for the needy and spreading the word of God.
When was Maria De Mattias canonized?
Maria De Mattias was canonized on May 18, 2003, by Pope John Paul II. This recognized her as a saint within the Catholic Church.
Where did Maria De Mattias establish her religious communities?
Maria De Mattias established over 70 communities of her Sisters throughout Italy during her lifetime. The Congregation later expanded its presence across Europe and continues its work globally today.
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