St. Clelia Barbieri
Girls just want one thing...Jesus
Clelia founded the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows in Italy when she was quite young. She is the youngest foundress in Catholic history! Her family growing up was poor and therefore, they were very open to offers of marriage for Clelia, of which she received many. But Clelia had formed a deep contemplative spirit from a young age and rejected all marriage offers to instead serve those around her as catechist, teacher, and servant. Clelia then founded her religious congregation and died of tuberculosis at 23.
Clelia packed more into her 23 years of life than many do with 80 or 100 years. She knew what and who she wanted from a young age and, to borrow a Dave Ramsey idea, went after it with gazelle-like, laser focus. Blessedly, Clelia’s family was gracious about her not marrying and improving their social status and joyously let her live the life she felt called to. Not every family is like this! But it’s a good reminder that we cannot choose for others, nor should we try to force them into our ways. We have to trust that God will take care of our loved ones and take care of us. Trust is hard, but Clelia modeled it well.
St. Clelia Barbieri, pray for us!
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