On Thursday, March 10th we celebrate and honor Blessed Clelia, the woman who founded the congregation of religious Sisters, The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These are the Sisters who founded and still minster Sacred Heart Villa today. There has been a long tradition at The Villa for the Kindergarten class to have a presentation to teach the younger children about Blessed Clelia on her birthday. The children are familiar with Blessed Clelia by name since we end our prayers throughout the day by saying, “Blessed Clelia, pray for us.” This annual presentation hopefully puts a face to that name and helps the children learn somethings about the life of this holy woman who was born March 10, 1861 in Italy. We keep the presentation simple since Blessed Clelia life had many ups and downs, loss, and tragedy.
This Thursday will also mark a significant event for the congregation and the Catholic Church. The official opening of the diocesan investigation of an alleged miracle through the intercession of Blessed Clelia will take place in Rome, Italy. Join us in prayer that this investigation will prove that a miracle occurred in 2020 through the intercession of Blessed Clelia. The approval of one more miracle by the Church is needed for Blessed Clelia’s canonization. On January 27, 2018, Pope Francis signed the approval of a miracle of Mother Clelia Merloni. The miracle through the intercession of Mother Clelia involved the healing of Dr. Pedro Ângelo de Oliveira Filho, a Brazilian from Ribeirão Preto. Blessed Clelia’s beatification was celebrated at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy on November 3, 2018.
To learn more details about Blessed Clelia visit: Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Our Foundress (ascjus.org)