Santa Maria Bertilla Boscardin
Santa Maria Bertilla Boscardin, also known as Ana Francisca, was born on October 6, 1888, in Brendola, a small village in the Vicência region, Italy. Coming from a humble peasant family, Bertilla was the firstborn of three brothers.
Since she was little, Bertilla demonstrated a deep devotion and special love for Our Lady. She used to pray in front of a painting of Our Lady, which hung on the wall in the kitchen of her house. Her piety and faith led her to make her First Communion at the age of nine.
At the age of seventeen, feeling a religious calling, Bertilla entered the Convent of the Master Sisters of Santa Dorothea Daughters of the Sacred Hearts, adopting the name Maria Bertilla. At the convent, she was assigned to work in the laundry and tend the oven.
As part of her religious training and community service, Bertilla obtained a nursing degree. In her diary, she expressed her desire to be useful to others: “I want to be a servant to everyone, I want to work, suffer and leave all the satisfaction to others.” In the second year of her novitiate, she was sent to a hospital in Treviso, Italy, where she served as a nurse in the children’s ward, caring for children who were victims of war.
During the First World War, Bertilla dedicated herself to caring for wounded soldiers. However, due to the intensity of military operations in Treviso, she had to leave the hospital and seek refuge elsewhere.
In 1910, Bertilla was diagnosed with cancer. Her health was poor and she needed surgery. After this recovery period, she returned to the hospital in Treviso, but unfortunately she became ill again and had to undergo another surgery. However, her recovery was complicated and she did not survive. Bertilla died on October 20, 1922, after converting the hospital’s chief physician.
In recognition of her life of devotion and service to the sick, Bertilla was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1952 and canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1961. At the canonization ceremony, Pope John highlighted Bertilla’s piety toward God, her integrity of character and purity of soul, and his ardor in helping others, especially the most disadvantaged and the sick.
Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin had a brief life, but her legacy of love, compassion and dedication to the sick continues to inspire and touch the hearts of many. His devotion to Our Lady and his selfless service are examples of a life lived to the full, always seeking the well-being of others. May your story motivate us to live with generosity and care for those most in need.
Source: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5584