Every October 29, the Catholic Church remembers Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano (1971-1990), born 53 years ago today. “Clara” -by her name in Spanish- was born in Sassello, Liguria (Italy), on October 29, 1971.
“Luce” (Light)
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Since she was little she showed with her sweet ways – gestures, words – how great her love for God was. At the same time, she revealed, on many occasions, her strong character – she was very determined and determined – as well as, curiously, her docile and obedient soul. His heart was full of joy and he was capable of radiating tenderness, which was easily reflected through his eyes, full of light.
At the age of nine he joined the Focolare Movement. Then, in 1985, he moved to Savona to continue his high school studies. At the age of 16, while enjoying the life of any teenager – friends, music, sports – he decided to consecrate his life to God. Already around that time, Clara had established a very close bond with the founder of the Focolare, Chiara Lubich, who gave her the nickname “Luce“(light, in Italian).
“For Jesus, for Jesus”
In the summer of 1988, Chiara was found to have a tumor on her shoulder. The medical evaluation indicated “osteogenic sarcoma with metastasis”, a type of aggressive and painful tumor. The young woman set out to overcome the disease and began an intense chemotherapy treatment, while trying to continue with her usual life, without losing her joy or faith. He constantly repeated that he offered all his pain to God, “For Jesus, for Jesus”; “I do this for you, Jesus. If you want it, so do I.”
The disease process gradually led her to become bedridden. On the other hand, Chiara wanted to stay lucid so as not to stop sharing her pain, and she gave up sedatives and painkillers. His intention was to accompany the suffering and abandoned Christ. Her friends visited her to encourage her, but in the end it was they who, after seeing her, felt encouraged to follow the Lord more closely. And, of course, to visit it more frequently.
Apostle in illness
Chiara knew that the possibility of dying was great, but far from giving in, she united herself more with the Lord, becoming, herself, a source of comfort for those around her. Thus, for a time he dedicated himself to accompanying, while he could still walk, a young man who suffered from depression. Then, one day, he gave all his savings to a friend who went on a humanitarian mission to Africa.
Despite the doctors’ efforts, the disease progressed rapidly and Chiara ended up losing the use of her legs. “If I had to choose between walking or going to paradise, I would choose the latter possibility,” he told his parents, when he no longer asked to be cured but only to prepare for the definitive encounter with Jesus.
A light that will never go out
In July 1989, Chiara suffered a severe hemorrhage, a sign that the end was near. As soon as he had some strength, he called his parents and told them: “Don’t shed tears for me. I’m going to Jesus. At my funeral I don’t want people to cry, but to sing loudly.”
On her bed, the blessed prayed to be able to fulfill the will of God until her last breath. “I’m not asking Jesus to come look for me and take me to paradise; I wouldn’t want to give him the impression that I don’t want to suffer anymore,” he even told his mother, with whom he was already preparing what he had begun to call his “wedding party.” “, referring to the day of his death and his funeral.
On Sunday, October 7, 1990, Chiara died at the age of 19. Her transit was serene, and she was accompanied by her parents. A step away from the door of his room his friends were waiting in prayer. His last words were to his mother: “Bye, mom. Be happy because I am.”
About two thousand people attended the funeral rites in honor of his soul.
Beatification
In December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI publicly recognized the miracle that made the beatification of Chiara Badano possible.
The parents of an Italian boy had asked for Chiara’s intercession so that their little one could be cured of the severe meningitis that was causing his internal organs to collapse one by one. Suddenly, the boy stood up again, healthy and smiling. None of the treating doctors had an explanation for what happened.
Chiara Badano was beatified on September 25, 2010. In the ceremony, Archbishop Angelo Amato, head at that time of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (today, Prefect Emeritus), gave Chiara as an example of how even in a Short life can be lived with greatness and holiness: “Today there are people full of virtue who, in the family, in school or in society, are far from wasting their lives.” Then he concluded:
“Blessed Chiara Badano is a missionary of Jesus, an apostle of the Gospel as good news to a world rich in well-being, but often sick with sadness and unhappiness. She invites us to rediscover the freshness and enthusiasm of faith. The invitation is addressed to everyone; to young people above all, but also to adults, to consecrated persons, to priests. “Everyone has been given enough grace to become saints.”
Central Editorial
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