Blessed Birgitta Morello
Blessed Birgitta Morello (born January 24, 1610 AD in Pozzovetere, near Genoa, Liguria, Italy; died September 16, 1679 AD in Genoa, Liguria, Italy) was an Italian widow and Franciscan Tertiary who founded the Ursuline Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (now the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) in Genoa, devoted herself to the education of poor girls and the formation of young women, and spent thirty years as a widow in intense prayer and apostolic charity after the death of her husband. Born in the Ligurian territory near Genoa, she married Tomaso Morello at a young age; after his death she turned entirely to prayer and charitable work, eventually founding her congregation in 1672. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 6, 1995. Her feast day is September 16.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Birgitta Morello
| Blessed Birgitta Morello | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 16 |
| Profession | Widow; Franciscan Tertiary; foundress of the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Ursuline Sisters of Genoa); educator of poor girls; contemplative and active apostle |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Third Order of Saint Francis; Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception; Genoese Catholic tradition; 17th-century Italian female religious apostolate; Ursuline educational tradition |
| Patronage | Genoa; Liguria; widows; educators of poor children; girls' education; the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception |
| Attributes | Franciscan Tertiary habit (gray); cross; a book (education); children (her foundational work for poor girls); Marian image of the Immaculate Conception; Genoese harbor landscape |
| Birthplace | Pozzovetere (now Cabella Ligure area), Liguria, Italy |
| Death Place | Genoa, Liguria, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died September 16, 1679, in Genoa; she was 69 years old; she had spent thirty years as a widow in prayer and apostolic work after the death of her husband; she founded the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Ursuline Sisters) for the education of poor girls in 1672; she died leaving behind a congregation dedicated to the Christian education of young women; Pope John Paul II beatified her on October 6, 1995 |
| Primary Shrine | Genoa, Liguria, Italy — Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (her congregation); September 16 feast; JPII beatification 1995 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; September 16 feast in the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and in the Archdiocese of Genoa |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Birgitta Morello was born January 24, 1610, at Pozzovetere in the Ligurian hills. She married Tomaso Morello and settled in Genoa. After her husband's death she entered a period of intense prayer and charitable activity as a Franciscan Tertiary.
She devoted herself to the Christian education of poor girls and young women in Genoa. In 1672 she founded the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (later the Ursuline Sisters of the Immaculate Conception) for this apostolate.
She died September 16, 1679, in Genoa, leaving behind a congregation dedicated to the Christian formation of young women. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 6, 1995. Her feast day is September 16.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Pozzovetere (now Cabella Ligure area), Liguria, Italy
Death location: Genoa, Liguria, Italy
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Feast day
September 16
Veneration
Blessed Birgitta Morello (1610–1679) was a Genoese widow and Franciscan Tertiary who founded the Pious Union of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception for the Christian education of poor girls — devoting her thirty years of widowhood to prayer and apostolic charity. Beatified John Paul II, 1995. Feast September 16.
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