BL. MARIA OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, VIRGIN

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JULY

Saints celebrated on the 27th of July

Prayer to the Angels and the Saints

Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.

In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.

Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.

BL. MARIA OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, VIRGIN 

Maria Grazia Tarallo was born on September 23, 1866 in Barra, Naples, Italy. A child "called" by God while still young, Maria Grazia made a private vow of virginity at age five in front of a statue of the Blessed Mother.

When she was 22 she wished to enter the convent, but her father opposed her desire as he wanted her to marry. However, the young man who proposed to her died before they could marry, thus leaving her free to enter the convent.

HER LOVE FOR CHRIST'S PASSION

On June 1, 1891 she entered the Monastery of the Sisters Crucified Adorers of the Eucharist, in Barra, founded by the Servant of God Maria Pia Notari who was a witness to the virtuous and holy life of Maria Grazia and to whom she gave the name "Sr Maria of the Passion".

Sr Maria lived her vocation of love for Christ's Passion, the Eucharist and Our Lady of Sorrows to the full. She was known to say:  "My name is Sr Maria of the Passion and I must resemble the Master".

SHE WAS ALWAYS EXEMPLARY AND EDIFYING IN HER LIFE OF CHARITY AND PRAYER

As a nun, she was given different responsibilities, from that of Novice Mistress and as spiritual guide of her Sisters, to that of kitchen and laundry service and porter. She was always exemplary and edifying in her life of charity and prayer and was admired by everyone in her community.

A VICTIM SOUL FOR SINNERS

Sr Maria's desire to be a victim soul for sinners was summed up by her in this way:  "I want to be holy, loving Jesus in the Eucharist, suffering with Christ Crucified and seeing Christ in my brothers and sisters".

"DO NOT DISAPPOINT HIM"

Sr Maria of the Passion died on July 27, 1912 in Barra, leaving to her Sisters the following testimony:  "I exhort you to holy perseverance according to the Rule, readiness in obedience and especially daily Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Love Jesus in the Eucharist, never leave him alone, do not anger him, do not disappoint him". 

(Information from the Vatican website)