SAINT LUCY FILIPPINI

St. Lucy Filippini

Feast day: March 25
Born in Corneto or Tarquinia, Tuscany, Italy, January 13, 1672;
Died at Montefiascone, Italy, on March 25, 1732;
Canonized in 1930

Co-foundress of the Italian institute of theMaestre Pie, the Filippine. Also listed as Lucia, she was born in Tuscany, Italy. With Rosa Venerini, Lucy started training schoolmistresses at Monte Fiascone. The institute evolved from this work. Lucy was canonized in 1930.



Born in Corneto or Tarquinia, Tuscany, Italy, January 13, 1672; died at Montefiascone, Italy, on March 25, 1732; canonized in 1930. Marc'Antonio Cardinal Barbarigo discovered the pedagogical genius of Lucia Filippini, who had been orphaned while still quite young. In her native town of Corneto, he saw young and old gathered about a little girl in the market place, listening to the child as she explained the catechism. He took the little girl with him on the very same day to the episcopal city of Montefiascone, and had her instructed by the Poor Clares.

She joined Blessed Rosa Venerini in training school mistresses at Montefiascone. Although Rose began the work, she died before it matured into the flourishing Italian institute of the Maestre Pie, or Filippine, of which Saint Lucy is venerated as the co-foundress. Lucy devoted the rest of her life to improving the status of women, and founding schools and educational centers for girls and women throughout Italy. In 1707, she was called to Rome by Pope Clement XI to establish the first school of the institute there. Lucy endeared hereself to the people of Rome during her tenure.

In a parchment laid in her grave at the Cathedral of Montefiascone, the saint is lovingly described: "After she had lost both her parents, Cardinal Marc'Antonio Barbarigo of blessed memory took her into his care. He later availed himself of her services in the founding of schools of Christian doctrine for young girls. Active with the greatest ardor for this foundation and its propagation, she fully realized the importance of this work for the glory of God, the saving of souls, and the Christian education of women.

"Her ability and experience made her work flourish and spread to our diocese and to many others. Her endeavors earned her the name of una donna forte--a strong woman. Though she lived wholly for her foundation, she never ceased praying at the feet of the Lord, thus uniting, in admirable fashion, the virtues of Martha and Mary.

"To set her up also as a model of invincible patience, God put her to the severest tests. She died on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1732, at the age of 60, of cancer, in terrible pain, which she endured with supreme patience."