Mother Maria Mantovani Declared Venerable in Canonization Process
The bells of Castelletto rang joyfully for a long time after Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree on the heroic virtues of Mother Maria, née Domenica Mantovani. As a co-founder with the blessed Giuseppe Nascimbeni of the Istituto delle Piccole Suore della Sacra Famiglia, and declared venerable—the first step toward beatification—for the “miracle of holiness lived daily,” the Pope announced, and this was precisely the reason for the completion of the first stage of the beatification process.
“We are stunned and amazed by the greatness of a Father who bends over his smallest children and envelops them in immense love,” said Suor Giannandreina Todesco, mother general of the Piccole Suore della Sacra Famiglia. “The echo of the bells that day resonates within our hearts, grateful to be within the grace-filled reality that God wanted to bestow upon this land. The Holy Father, with his presence, gave credibility and confirmed the promulgation of the decree that places Mother Maria within the church, worthy of our veneration and prayer.”
A beatification cause slowed only by contingent time needs, the mother general clarified. Reflecting on the words of the Pope, she summarized the work of Domenica Mantovani, born in Castelletto on November 12, 1862, and died in 1934: “A miracle of an ordinary life, capable of speaking to everyone, just as the Holy Family speaks to all, the first nucleus of a new humanity—built on relationships and bonds forged in peace, respect for others, and justice.”
Madre Maria’s life and spirituality
“Mother Maria, who called herself serva delle serve,” continued Suor Giannandreina, “proclaimed the sanctity of the founder Giuseppe Nascimbeni, spreading his fame, exalting his virtues and spiritual life. She would never have thought she herself deserved the recognitions that the church now grants to those who have sought God with all their might and entrusted their entire confidence to the Father in heaven.” Certainly, a humble nun sculpted by Nascimbeni, would not have expected such a surprise.
The blessed wanted a certified teacher for his nuns, but understood, knowing Domenica Mantovani, that people teach not with what they know, but with what they do. Mother Maria served as an example to her daughters, as she loved to call them: “I will live like a child abandoned into the Lord’s hands; I will leave to Him the care of my sanctification and of the entire institute,” she wrote in her diary.
The Lord granted this request. But what kind of nuns did Mother Mantovani want to see sanctified? “Pouty and lazy nuns are not for us,” she used to say, “Paradise must be earned through sweating and suffering when necessary.” “Dearest daughters,” she also warned, “if you want to remain good and holy, it is necessary to live a continuous sacrifice, because in paradise, we go working and suffering.”
“The way of the cross is always the fastest and safest route to holiness,” she recalled while serving as Mother Superior of the institute. “The most ardent desire of the founder is that we are souls steeped in prayer and filled with piety,” she exhorted her nuns. She treated her companions like daughters: “Give me the joy of seeing you grow healthy, good, holy—indeed, very holy,” she often remembered.
Once, to a nun who on her profession day did not have her mother beside her, Mother Maria Mantovani said: “Now I am your mom too. And here, there’s a load of confetti.” One day, the superior sent a telegram to a nun working in an affiliated house, reading: “Come immediately to Castelletto.” The nun hurried and asked the superior what had happened.
“It’s been a month since you last wrote to me, and I’d love to see you,” replied Suor Maria. “And that’s why I sent you a telegram?” the surprised nun asked. “Definitely, and if you don’t write to me, I will send more,” was Domenica’s curt reply.
