Blessed Mary Fontanella
Blessed Mary Fontanella (born January 7, 1661 AD in Turin, Italy; died December 16, 1717 AD in Turin, Italy) was an Italian Discalced Carmelite nun, known in religion as Mary of the Angels (Maria degli Angeli), celebrated for her mystical life, her penance, and her devotion to Saint Joseph. Born Marianna Fontanella into a noble family of Piedmont, she is venerated as a Blessed of the Church. Her feast day is December 16.
After overcoming family opposition to her vocation, Mary of the Angels became a Carmelite of Turin, serving as prioress and novice-mistress and enduring great interior trials while guiding her sisters in the way of prayer. She was beatified in 1865.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Mary Fontanella
| Blessed Mary Fontanella | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 16 |
| Profession | Discalced Carmelite nun; prioress |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Discalced Carmelites |
| Patronage | Invoked with Saint Joseph; the Carmel of Turin |
| Attributes | Carmelite habit |
| Birthplace | Turin, Italy |
| Death Place | Turin, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; Discalced Carmelite nun; died at Turin |
| Primary Shrine | Turin, Italy |
Biography
Marianna Fontanella was born on January 7, 1661, at Turin, into a noble family of Piedmont. From childhood she was drawn to prayer and penance, and she desired to consecrate herself entirely to God. Despite opposition from members of her family who wished her to marry, she persevered and entered the Discalced Carmelite convent of Saint Christina at Turin, taking the religious name Mary of the Angels (Maria degli Angeli).
Within Carmel she embraced a life of austere penance and deep contemplative prayer. She experienced severe interior trials and desolations, which she bore with faith and abandonment to God, as well as consolations and mystical graces. Recognized for her holiness and prudence, she was entrusted with responsibility in the community, serving as novice-mistress and as prioress, in which office she guided and formed her sisters with wisdom and charity. She had a special devotion to Saint Joseph, whose patronage she promoted.
Mary of the Angels died at Turin on December 16, 1717. She was beatified on April 25, 1865, by Pope Pius IX. Her feast is kept on December 16.
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Feast day
December 16
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