Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello
Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello (born October 2, 1791 in Langasco, Liguria, Italy; died March 21, 1858 in Ronco Scrivia, Liguria, Italy) was an Italian religious foundress who dedicated her life to the education and protection of girls in danger, particularly orphaned and at-risk youth. She founded the Benedictine Sisters of Providence (Suore Benedettine della Provvidenza). She was beatified on May 10, 1987 by Pope John Paul II and canonized on May 19, 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Her feast day is March 21.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello
| Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | March 21 |
| Profession | Religious foundress; educator |
| Rel. Affiliation | Benedictine Sisters of Providence (founder) |
| Patronage | Orphaned girls; at-risk youth; educators |
| Attributes | Religious habit; young girls beside her |
| Birthplace | Langasco, Genoa Province, Liguria, Italy |
| Death Place | Ronco Scrivia, Genoa Province, Liguria, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Ronco Scrivia, Genoa Province, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Benedictine Sisters of Providence) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Early life and marriage
Benedicta Cambiagio was born on October 2, 1791 in Langasco, Liguria. She felt an early call to religious life but, at her family's urging, married Giovanni Battista Frassinello in 1816. The couple agreed to live as brother and sister in a celibate marriage after Benedicta recovered from a serious illness—a spiritual vow that both honored throughout their married life.
Ministry in Pavia and Ronco Scrivia
With her husband's support, Benedicta dedicated herself to caring for the poor and sick in Pavia. She later returned to Liguria and at Ronco Scrivia opened a house to shelter and educate girls who were orphaned, abandoned, or at moral risk—a precarious population with few social protections in nineteenth-century Italy.
She was profoundly concerned with the protection of young women from poverty, exploitation, and moral danger. Her work attracted collaborators and in 1828 she founded the Benedictine Sisters of Providence, a congregation dedicated to this apostolate of education and protection of girls. Her husband, who had entered the Somascan Fathers, supported her foundation and kept close ties with it.
Difficulties and perseverance
Benedicta's work was not without suffering. She faced opposition from ecclesiastical authorities and was required for a period to withdraw from active leadership of the congregation she had founded. She bore this trial with patience and was eventually rehabilitated. She continued her work until her death on March 21, 1858 in Ronco Scrivia.
Significant events
- Born October 2, 1791 in Langasco, Liguria.
- Married Giovanni Battista Frassinello 1816; both lived in vowed celibacy.
- Opened a house of refuge and education for girls at Ronco Scrivia.
- Founded the Benedictine Sisters of Providence in 1828.
- Died March 21, 1858 in Ronco Scrivia.
- Beatified May 10, 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Vatican City.
- Canonized May 19, 2002 by Pope John Paul II in Vatican City.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Langasco, Genoa Province, Liguria, Italy
Death location: Ronco Scrivia, Genoa Province, Liguria, Italy
Notable location: Location of her house of refuge for girls and her foundation (Ronco Scrivia, Genoa Province, Liguria, Italy)
Notable location: Where she and her husband lived a celibate life and cared for the sick (Pavia, Lombardy, Italy)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Canonization
Beatification
Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello was beatified on May 10, 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Vatican City.
Canonization
She was canonized on May 19, 2002 by Pope John Paul II in Vatican City.
Feast day
March 21
Veneration
Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on March 21, particularly by the Benedictine Sisters of Providence and in the Diocese of Tortona.
Prayers
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External links
- catholicsaints.info – Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello
- catholic.org – Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello