Blessed Clelia Merloni (10 March 1861 – 21 November 1930)
Feast Day: November 20
Beatified in 2018
Founded the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, dedicated herself to serving the poor during Italy’s turbulent industrial era, and modeled heroic love and self-sacrifice by making the pierced Heart of Christ the center of her mission and life.
“Be careful to never let your heart be disturbed or get involved in things that upset it, but always work to keep it calm. In this way the Lord will build in your soul a city of peace, and your heart will be a place of delights. Every time you get upset, Jesus simply wants you to come back to silence and calm yourself again in all your works and thoughts."
“Try a little to distance yourselves from worldly distractions, and to spend a few half hours in recollection and prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. You will see how enlightened your mind will be, how much your soul will be refreshed and comforted.”