From: "Trudie" 

March 25th - St. Lucy Filippini.

Born in Corneto or Tarquinia, Tuscany, Italy, January 13, 1672; died at
Montefiascone, Italy, on March 25, 1732; canonized in 1930.

Marc'Antonio Cardinal Barbarigo discovered the pedagogical genius of Lucia
Filippini, who had been orphaned while still quite young. In her native
town of Corneto, he saw young and old gathered about a little girl in the
market place, listening to the child as she explained the catechism. He
took the little girl with him on the very same day to the episcopal city of
Montefiascone, and had her instructed by the Poor Clares.

She joined Blessed Rosa Venerini in training school mistresses at
Montefiascone. Although Rose began the work, she died before it matured
into the flourishing Italian institute of the Maestre Pie, or Filippine, of
which Saint Lucy is venerated as the co-foundress. Lucy devoted the rest of
her life to improving the status of women, and founding schools and
educational centers for girls and women throughout Italy. In 1707, she was
called to Rome by Pope Clement XI to establish the first school of the
institute there. Lucy endeared herself to the people of Rome during her
tenure.

In a parchment laid in her grave at the Cathedral of Montefiascone, the
saint is lovingly described: "After she had lost both her parents,
Cardinal Marc'Antonio Barbarigo of blessed memory took her into his care.
He later availed himself of her services in the founding of schools of
Christian doctrine for young girls. Active with the greatest ardor for this
foundation and its propagation, she fully realized the importance of this
work for the glory of God, the saving of souls, and the Christian education
of women.

"Her ability and experience made her work flourish and spread to our
diocese and to many others. Her endeavors earned her the name of una donna
forte-a strong woman. Though she lived wholly for her foundation, she never
ceased praying at the feet of the Lord, thus uniting, in admirable fashion,
the virtues of Martha and Mary.

"To set her up also as a model of invincible patience, God put her to
the severest tests. She died on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25,
1732, at the age of 60, of cancer, in terrible pain, which she endured with
supreme patience."

A portrait reveals that she was a very pretty woman (Attwater2,
Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Schamoni).



Today is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is
the great festival of the Incarnation, commemorating the announcement by
the Archangel Gabriel to Our Lady that the Divine Son of God, the Word,
would take human nature upon Him in her virginal womb.  Its date is
determined by that of Christmas Day, and as the day which marked the
beginning of Christian dispensation it was for many centuries regarded as
the first day of the civil year.

On this day the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, uniting forevermore
our human nature to the Divine nature.  The Mystery of the Incarnation
brings vividly before us the boundless condescension and humility of God
the Son in stooping to our condition in order to be our Saviour.  Equally
it proclaims the glory and greatness of Mary, who was chosen to give to the
Divine Word human flesh and human birth, and so to co-operate with God in
the restoration of mankind.  Hence her most glorious title of "Mother
of God," which explains all her glories, her sanctity and her honor.

(Taken from the New Marian Missal)



The second glorious mystery prayer of the Eucharistic Rosary, to be offered
before the Blessed Sacrament:

The Ascension of Our Lord, offered for confidence in God and desire of heaven.

O divine Saviour!  Thy triumph in this mystery has reached its perfection!
By raising Thyself up to heaven through Thy own power, Thou hast taken
possession of Thy Kingdom, and Thou art seated at the right hand of Thy
Father to be forever the joy of the angels and saints.  Every day also
without quitting Thy throne Thou comest upon our altars, under the form of
bread, to bring us a foretaste of the heavenly beatitude.

O Thou, the delight of pure souls, we adore Thee and we beg of Thee,
through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, an ardent desire of possessing
Thee here below under the Eucharistic veils, and to possess Thee in heaven
in the splendor of Thy glory.

Imprimatur:  + John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York, Sept 19, 1908.


Saint Quote:
Gaze upon the Lord,
Gaze upon his face;
Gaze upon the One who holds you in his embrace. Gaze upon his life;
Gaze upon his love;
Gaze upon his coming poor from heaven above.
-Saint Clare of Assisi

Bible Quote:
5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said to them:
My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot
hate you; but me it hateth: because I give testimony of it, that the works
thereof are evil.  (John 7:5-7)

--- BBBS/LiI v4.01 Flag