Monday 20 November 2017

# Saints

Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti

An English engraving of a Benedictine nun: Sr. Maria Fortunata lived as a nun for more than seventy years.

The 20th of November is the feast day of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti. She is the patron saint against temptation; impoverishment; loss of parents; and mental illness.

Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti lived between 1827 and 1922. She was the eldest daughter of nine children and was born in Italy. When she was 14 years old, her mother died, her father was also addicted to gambling and alcohol. Maria had to work as a housekeeper to earn money for the family as well as taking care for her siblings, as her father sank deeper into his addiction. Maria became a Benedictine nun at the age of 24, rejecting an offer of marriage. Though Sr Maria Fortunata was illiterate, she spent her time in the monastery as a housekeeper, washing, sewing and doing other simple tasks. She was simple of heart and her confessor said that she was often accosted by the devil with threats, physical attacks and with insults hoping to break her virtue. She was greatly devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and visited the chapel frequently as she performed her daily tasks. After she died at the age of 95, miracles were reported at her grave.


Prayers for intercession

O faithful maid of the Lord, Blessed Mary Fortunata, who, looking with clear eyes, the creatures and beautiful beauties of nature, were to exclaim: Power and Charity of God! Teach us to elevate our mind and heart from visible things to invisible things as we have been created. You, through prayer and labour, make every day an offering of love to God and neighbour, help us turn our lives into a witness of convicted faith and a good adherence to the will of the Lord. Amen.

Blessed Maria Fortunata pray for us and lead us to Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

Lord, like your servant Blessed Maria Fortunata, help us to focus on the eternal reward awaiting us in your kingdom, rather than on the temporary trials that we face in this life.  In your name we pray.  Amen.

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