n. 2 OCTOBER Adi Albertomici e Carla 2018 SIX-MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF INFORMATION ON LIFE, THOUGHT AND WORKS OF BLESSED ALBERTO MARVELLI AND OF CARLA RONCI

Supplement to the Bridge n. 39 del w4/11/18 R.O.C. Rate: “Poste Italiane S.p.A.” abb. post. 45% - D.L. 353/2003 (convene in L. 27/02/2004 No. 46) art. 1 paragraph - DCB - Tax levied EDITORIAL

SAINTS NEXT DOOR

e are committed, as persons The ’s “humble goal” is “to make the in charge of this magazine, call to holiness resonate once again, try- to carefully following the ing to incarnate it in the current context, documents of the Magiste- with its risks, its challenges, and its oppor- Wrium, in order to always feel in harmony tunities” (2). with the Church’s path over time. “The Lord asks for everything, and what But the last document (Gaudete ed exul- he offers is the true life, the happiness for tate of 19th March 2018) deeply challeng- which we were created. es us, since it has as a topic “the call to He wants us to be and he does not holiness in the contemporary world”. expect us to be content with a mediocre, Our magazine presents and illustrates bland, inconsistent existence” (1). young saints’ life, works and spirituality. The holiness that the Pope asks of us is This document is for us a confirmation of not a heroic, abstract or inhuman holiness, the work we have been doing. In fact, we but a holiness next door (7). believe that disseminating saints’ lives is And he hopes that his “pages are useful, one of the highest forms of evangeliza- so that the whole Church is dedicated to tion: saints are models of a Christian life promoting the desire for holiness” (177). that is fully realized at any time and in any place. ALBERTO

ALBERTO’S CORRESPONDENCE

n the occasion of the one hun- ment to building a more human life for dredth anniversary of the birth everyone. of Alberto, what remains of his If we don’t consider the first naïve letters correspondence is entirely pub- to the Befana or to parents during Christ- Olished: 120 letters and postcards written mas, the correspondence that remained by him, and 194 written to him. covers the years from 1937 to 1946, ten The first reason for the publication is to crucial years for and Rimini. preserve the long-gone memory of times and things, to reconstruct, albeit in pieces, I - The correspondence that refers to the a story into which Alberto plunged with Association is relatively passion, to try to make of it, despite every- rich. The exchange of letters between thing, a “history of salvation”. Alberto, the diocesan president of the The second reason is to contribute to Giac Luigi Zangheri, the regional delegate documenting the human and spiritual of students Mario Collina, the Catholic journey of a young man who has always Action Central Office reminds us of the thought that, in order to become saints, image of the Catholic Action Association it is sufficient to serenely fulfil your duty, in the years of Luigi Gedda’s presidency: and who remained faithful to this princi- they decided not to oppose directly the ple, always trying to respond consistently fascist regime, and made the effort to and with commitment to the “challenges” prevent fragmentation and to take care of history. of the links between the various dioceses, The letters can be easily divided into three with the aim of creating a counterculture, groups: those that concern more close- which could replace the believe-obey- ly the commitment within the Catholic fight model by the prayer-action-sacri- Action Association, those that testify the fice model, establishing in the conscience political commitment especially in the models of man and society quite different immediate post-war period, in the years from those proposed by the regime. in which Alberto was councillor in the City Alberto showed his commitment, passion Council appointed by the Committee of and seriousness for this different model, national liberation, and the more “private” continuing even after the entry into the ones from his family and friends. war of Italy, when he joined Luigi Zang- All together, they create an environment heri, in order to maintain ties with the of friendships that don’t know any geo- members of the Catholic Action Associa- graphical distances, of strong bonds, tion sent on various fronts. made of sincere affections, cemented by He did not only care about what was the passion for the other, enriched by going on within the comforting walls of the willingness to support each other in the parish. Already in March 1939, when difficulties, and by the common commit- he felt the winds of war, he was very wor- ­2 ALBERTO

Reconstructing the mili- tary history of these three years of war, we shudder at the thought of who was in charge of the fate of Italy. But since it is pointless to merely complain about what has been, Alberto shows that he is maturing a new sensitivity, which addresses the future of the country and tries to clarify the values that can be placed at the base of the national reconstruc- tion: I do a little bit of individu- al apostolate and prepare myself, reading and study- ing, for the work that can await us later. He came back to Rimi- ni after 8th September, after working hard for the displaced during the terrible months of the ried about that, and even more, in 1941, bombings on the city. when he was sent to the training centre Apart from the moving recollection of in , he appeared doubtful about those who had received help, no direct the competence of the commanders. This testimony remains, because the Diary of impression was reaffirmed in August 1943. Alberto was interrupted for five years,

ALBERTO MARVELLI ON THE INTERNET - www.chiesa.rimini.it/albertomarvelli: life, photos, writings, spirituality, prayers, magazines, and publications. - Facebook profile and page: www.facebook.com/centro.marvelli to follow events, activities, publications, visits. - Twitter (@centromarvelli): to receive a phrase by Alberto Marvelli on a daily basis

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from January 1942 to August 1946. What that would not fall under the duties of a remains is only a letter from 1944, which councillor. he sent to Mrs Delfina Aldè, to tell her In an era in which there is the risk of about the help that his friend had given witch-hunts, even the former fascists turn to him: to him, to ask him for a testimony before Between a bike ride and the other, trying the Commissariat for purge, a testimony to find and distribute food and household that – they are certain – will be serene and goods, he recommends with a circular impartial: letter the need for membership, and he It is then necessary to provide sheets finds time to keep in touch with the young for the hospital, which has shown a dis- people that were forced to leave the city. proportionate increase in the number of These letters tell about non-formal rela- hospitalizations due to a typhus epidemic. tionships, marked by a respectful and To this effect, Alberto can count on his sincere affection. brother Adolfo’s friends. Sometimes there is an interest in the return II - The letters of the last years witness a of prisoners, children of distant acquain- part of his commitment as a councillor in tances; we need to think about the reor- the City Council appointed by the CLN, ganization of schools, take an interest in and more specifically as the head of the the appointment of the Education Super- Building Commission and of the Housing intendent; request the establishment of Commission. a new Industrial Institute; point out the It is a very demanding . Few can say, need to set up the court in Rimini. So how with some arrogance, that they do not to refuse the appointment of the bishop want to use “recycled materials”. to president of the Catholic graduates? In reality, the lack of materials multiplies This will involve a great organizational the thefts and makes the reconstruction commitment, both on the charitable and very expensive, and many, like the parish on the cultural level, but Alberto knows priest of San Lorenzo, wonder whether that action is not enough, if there is no resorting to eternity ensures good sav- reflection on the reasons for action and, ings. inviting speakers such as Gonella, La Pira, Within a few months, however, Alberto Lazzati, Manzini, Pignedoli, Lombardi, he manages to build twenty thousand hous- contributes to rethink the presence and es for forty thousand people, but it is not the role of Catholics in a new society that enough for him, because the reconstruc- came out of the war, a society that is start- tion of a city does not pass only through ing to become a mass society. the bricks: III - While the letters concerning the Cath- But now it’s time for all of us to shake hands olic Action Association and the political fraternally, to proceed with the immense letters focus on Alberto’s public commit- work that awaits us in all areas of the social ment, the last group of letters is instead and national life. more personal. There are many letters that show the Those that were exchanged with his concrete interest of Alberto even in fields mother and his siblings convey the image ­4 ALBERTO

of a family that, despite the bereavements He is able to speak with equal simplicity and the hardships, were able to maintain and intensity to young and old, not only an extraordinary cohesion, made strong to his peers, but also to the parents of his by their intense affections and their com- peers, who consider him a friend for them- mon faith. selves and a model for their children. His mother was always at the centre of He knows how to find delicate words for his attention, but also the siblings’ attach- his sister Gede and the little Letizia Aldè, ment to each other was great. who make their First Holy Communion. In particular, with a fatherly care, Alberto He knows how to console Mrs Delfina, sent to Lello, who was involved in a war who is sad because her children and rel- that was absolutely strange to him, every- atives do not accept the idea that she thing that seemed to him useful to main- wants to get married again, moreover to tain his bond to the good life. And Lello an unbeliever: was grateful to him like a son. It is very easy in these moments of latent Already in 1942, immediately after the materialism even in the so-called Christian battle of El Alamein, through his uncle consciences, to misrepresent intentions and Eugenio, he filled out the forms to know to judge by appearances. But she is so strong about the fate of his father Carlo and, and she has such a deep and sincere faith later, in order to speed up his return, he that she will be able to overcome any diffi- did not hesitate to involve all his friends culties in the interest of her children and for that could be interested in the Holy See, the good of a soul. which had undertaken the task of doing And he knows how to find the words of research and keeping contacts between hope that help soothe his friends’ pain: prisoners and their families. I know how little the human words serve In these letters, Alberto appears to be a to soothe the deep wound of our soul; but cheery young man, full of energy, who it always comforted me to listen to close can’t stand still, not out of concern, but out of his commitment to life. Apart from his being away for work or the apostolate (which is often the case), even when he is far from Rimini he moves to take part in the initiatives of other Catholic Action groups, to visit exhibitions, to go up the mountains … He also finds time to collect stamps. He knows how to adapt to the most varied situations: he puts hooves on his feet, if he has given a poor his shoes, but he does not consider frivo- lous wearing cufflinks, if the situation requires it, or looking for sheer stock- ings for his friends:

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friends. In whatever I may be useful to you, placing it within a providential design that remember that I am more than a friend, I overcomes him: am a brother. Pray, Marilena, also for me, be united with the Lord [...]. The union with helps to Moreover, some of these letters open a overcome the miseries of everyday life, and very human page on the delicate issue to frame the sufferings, the contrarieties, the of his love for Marilena Aldè. A love that uncertainties, the joys, the disillusions in the Alberto had kept in silence for years. plan that was already prepared by Divine Both because of the uncertainty of his Providence, for our sanctification [...] final vocation, and out of respect for the The inexhaustible field of charity is a mag- choices of the girl, also uncertain, even if nificent school of perfection for us and of for different reasons, about her future. apostolate for others; it accustoms us to Finally, when his choice of life is clear, consider the true values of life, which is not strengthened also by the entry into the only a fulfilment of our earthly desires and Società Operaia of Gedda, which engages ideals; it detaches us more from the things him “as a layman being lay”, he decides to of the earth. declare his feeling, with an intensity full of The last words of the letter, which bears trepidation. the date of 26th September 1946, nine Marilena’s refusal marks the end, which we days before his death, seem almost an can imagine as sorrowful, of a long-medi- omen ... tated and prayed project; but, as he has always done, Alberto accepts the pain,

­6 CARLA CARLA, THE JOY OF LIVING

’here is so much sadness in the live in union with God. This means living world today, especially among my inner life. God would like to find in me young people who cannot give a only what belongs to him, that is all what meaning to their lives and seek joy is divine. At that moment, Jesus starts Twhere they will never find it. acting undisturbed … If I let Jesus act in Carla’s full and contagious joy, which is me, he will be the one who prays, speaks, conveyed to other people, comes from advises, and loves for me … “. her awareness of the presence of the Lord. Joy accompanies her even when it seems “All the joy and serenity I can have comes that the world is falling on her or when from God. Men will never be able to satisfy she cries or tells about her sorrows in her the anxiety that is in me: only God can … diary, since the gift of the Holy Spirit is in Heaven belongs to God; if God is in me, I her. am the heaven of God … Joy is a true gift Not only joy comes from being in har- of the Holy Spirit flowing into a pure soul mony with nature or from the encounter that welcomes it with all its gifts … of communion with others, but it is a joy I also received, as a consecrated soul, a that comes from the fact that her soul is glance of love from God, what a joy! … appropriated by God, known and loved as May my “yes” always be joyful; this is the the supreme and immutable good. Those least that I can do to reciprocate the love who live in the spirit encounter joy along of God … Until I break all the affections, I their journey: joy in living, joy in loving, joy will not taste the joy of God, I will always in purity, joy in work, joy in service, joy in be restless … As long as my heart is sacrifice. not perfectly free from the things of this The more the human being becomes world, I will not be perfectly happy … present to God and detaches himself from The thought I was mostly affected by is sin, the more he has access to spiritual joy. this: God is in me. I am a living tabernacle. Carla possesses this complete and deep Therefore, it must not be difficult for me to joy, and spreads it in the hearts of her

CARLA RONCI ON THE INTERNET Anyone interested in learning more about www.diocesi.rimini.it/carlaronci the Secular Institute “OF THE HANDMAIDS OF GOD MERCY” A site entirely dedicated to Carla to which Carla Ronci belonged can call the Ronci: the summary of her life, in following numbers: 0733.230661 short chapters; a wide selection of Or write to: Sara Anglano - passages from her Diary, a series of via Marconi, 2/4 - 60025 Loreto (Ancona); photos, the bibliography of all the Maria Bertoni- via G. Marconi, 2 60025 Loreto (An) writings of Carla Ronci and about E-mail: [email protected] her.

­7 am happy and this happi- ness could be taken away only by the certainty that God is no longer merciful: the only thought that God is love and mercy gives me so much joy and con- fidence”. And again: “I am happy to be”, “Life is beautiful”; “I am even too happy”; “Life is marvellous”; “I live in joy”. Even during her illness, Carla never loses her joy of living. “Thinking of Jesus who suffers, even the hardest sufferings fill me with joy”. “I am happy that Jesus associates me with his Passion”. “If I had to choose between joy and suffering, I would choose the latter rather than the former, since the mystery of salvation is fulfilled in brothers and sisters. Joy gives her heart suffering”. “The heart in openness to the world and leads it to an pieces and the smile on the lips; this is my even more universal communion. Because mission”. “I am happy to be in the hands the joy “that comes from God is an expan- of God and to be so much loved by him. sion of the heart; cheerfulness is not joy”. The words of Paul come to mind: “I “The soul in the grace of God lives in joy, am full of joy in every tribulation” (2Cor since it needs everything to give itself, to 7,4). love, to repair, to ingratiate …” Fausto Lanfranchi Only a thought could take the joy away: “I

Those who wish to receive books, brochures, holy cards and devotional material about the Blessed Alberto Marvelli and the Venerable Carla Ronci can ask for them at the Documentation Centre “A. Marvelli”: via Cairoli, 69 – 47923 Rimini. Tel. and Fax: 0541.787183; [email protected]

­8 YOUNG SAINTS

SANDRA SABATTINI

n 6th March 2018, the Pope candidate for sanctity to prove that he signed the decree declaring the has lived the virtues heroically. Father Or- venerability of Sandra Sabatti- este, the founder of the Community, was ni, recognizing her practice of well aware that these were very present OChristian virtues lived in a heroic way and in Sandra, and he hoped for the start of exposing her to public worship. Her shy the diocesan cognitive process. The posi- character as well as the lack of any desire tive tendencies of the young woman were to be the centre of attention ensured that partly inherited from her family, an incon- her spiritual greatness was discovered spicuous household but rich in moral and only after her death, which occurred at the spiritual values, which included her un- age of almost 23 years on 2nd May 1984, cle Father Giuseppe, a priest, her mother after being run over by a car on her way to Agnese’s brother. Together with him, the a meeting of the Papa XXIII Community, of Sabattini family (father Giuseppe, mother which she was a member. Agnese, Sandra and her little brother Raf- faele) had lived in a vicarage, first in Misa- Saints are not born no, then in Rimini. One is not born, but becomes a saint, In her family, the little Sandra had breathed therefore the Church asks first of all the the air of generosity, essentiality, recti- ­9 YOUNG SAINTS

tude, prayer, which were deeply rooted in his hands. She sought with tenacity the a nature particularly inclined to radicalism will of God, which meant to dispossess Since she was a child, her life had been herself of her intelligence, her will, her based on a holiness lived in daily life, on body with its senses and of her heart with the tension to live the evangelical purity of its affections, recognizing her frailty, which heart and the ardent charity in hiding and required support from above, and the role in humility. of God, to which all her praise went. She also recognized the beauty of creation, Aptitude for prayer which she contemplated as a mirror and a Since she was very young, she had had an gift of its Creator. aptitude for prayer, for a natural thirst for contact with God, who often brought her, Serving the last in the early hours of the morning or some- Losing herself in God did not alienate times even at night, to worship the taber- Sandra from immersing herself in social nacle, and later to meditate on the Word of activities, in serving the last, the poor, the God, while the liturgy of the hours and the marginalized. This feeling was fully shared holy rosary were performed. But she did and refined by the spirituality of the Papa not relegate God to those only moments Giovanni XXIII Community, with which she of the day, she always breathed him, she shared the commitment in favour of the never ended a speech without mention- poor. She had known Father , ing God; so she trained not to reserve any- founder of the community, when she was thing for herself and to put everything in just a teenager, at the age of thirteen, and

­10 YOUNG SAINTS

she had been captured by the proposal to A rich personality adapt her life to that of Jesus, poor and ser- The spiritual framework of the young lady vant. She had started following him with should not overshadow her humanly very her heart reaching out towards him and rich personality: Sandra had a talent for serving her less fortunate brothers and sis- drawing, she was gifted in music (despite ters, in favour of whom she immersed her- a malformation in a hand she had learned self in several battles, since for her poverty to play the piano), sports (she was a fast and justice were not separable. running champion). She brilliantly suc- ceeded in her studies, in which she always Aspiration to radicalism achieved excellent results, and did not lack Sandra had a great aspiration to radicalism a sense of humour and self-irony. that led her to search for ’ plan on her in a profound journey, which sometimes A holy girlfriend became uneasiness and, in the last years She was a girl like many others and like of her short life, led her to spend her en- many others she had a boyfriend, Guido, ergies serving the therapeutic community who shared her commitment in the com- for drug addicts. Father Oreste could wit- munity. Their relationship was based on ness that she gave them her simple friend- their unreserved following of Christ, who ship, reviving the sense of life in them. revealed in them the dimension of an ‘un- Sandra spoke with facts, since she knew divided heart’, exclusively on the side of that what was really important was to God’s plan, on which both of them kept deeply love all those whom God put on their eyes fixed. Their eyes were crystal her path. She tried to ‘restore justice’ in clear, they did not sink into the murkiness herself by living in frugality in terms of of their own desire or their own fulfilment. clothes, eating and talking; she preferred In their five years of engagement, Sandra silence to words. and Guido simply tried to comply with God’s project almost instinctively, involv- A fully spiritual joy ing the whole world in their relationship. The girl was also the bearer of a spiritual Being fully immersed in the world and in joy, which derived from the joy of living the Church, they felt naturally called to and sharing the lives of others, and found take care of that part of suffering human- expression in her contagious smile, which ity in which the image of the Creator was conquered a lot of people. Many people impressed. witness that she emanated an enthrall- ing joy that attracted an ever-increasing Her diary number of young people to God. She was The secret of Sandra’s spirituality is im- a model also for the ‘group’ mates, each of printed in her diary consisting of sheets whom felt her as an exclusive friend, even of paper, tickets, diaries, school diaries, if she did not tie herself to anyone. or any surface she considered suitable for capturing the thought of a moment. It is not always a question of merely spiritual reflections, however, even in the case of ­11 YOUNG SAINTS

school exercises or other expressions of Sandra was able to plan her life, which she lived reality, a common thread comes out, conceived as a gift to spend for the benefit revealing the soul and the commitment of the needy; far from self-centeredness, in the ascent towards the best, of the mo- she shows everyone the ability to forget ments and experiences of the daily life, generously, to offer her brothers and sis- lived with mystical intensity. ters her energies, her intelligence, her en- thusiasm, together with the serenity and A message to todays’ youth the desire to live. In a society that invites It is precisely the everyday life lived that people to give in to pleasure, she propos- makes Sandra’s message suitable for ev- es the responsibility of witnessing Jesus eryone. In particular, it has a lot to offer es- through one’s life. She used to wonder pecially to today’s youth. They are given a about life, thinking with insistence even non-superficial ‘young’ model, which does about death. Sandra shows an intense en- not seek gratification in various experi- ergy supported by peace and the joy of ences of pleasure nor does she desire her the heart; ultimately, she has to offer a life own self-affirmation. To those facing life, made of self-giving. she suggests balance and maturity, her Laila Lucci decision-making ability, her strong will, her ability to discern and evaluate reality. ­12 ALBERTO

ALBERTO’S 100TH BIRTHDAY

A stained glass a commemorative plaque in the place window for Alberto where his house was.

On Sunday 18th Holy Mass of memory March 2018, the 6 new stained On Thursday 22nd March 2018, at 9 pm, glass windows at the end of a day dedicated to the figure of the Santa of the Blessed Alberto, the Holy Mass of Maria Ausiliatri- ce Church were inaugurated, with which the Salesian com- munity wanted to play tribute to the Blessed Alberto on the occasion of the centenary of his birth. memory was celebrated at the “Punto giovane” in Riccione.

Commemorative plaque Gospel choir in concert On Wednesday 21st March 2018, at 9 in the Salesian church pm, the Regina Pacis community recalled the centenary of Alberto’s birth by placing

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On Saturday 7th April at 8:45 pm, in the Way of the Cross church of Salesians in Rimini, on the On Friday 23rd March, at 9 pm, depart- occasion of the centenary of the birth of ing from the Sant’Agostino church, the the Blessed Alberto, there was an evening parishes of the with songs and meditations led by the pastoral area Sing For Joy Gospel Choir and the Exo- of the histor- dus Gossip Choir, gathered for the occa- ic centre (S. sion and directed by Gilberto Barbieri and Agostino, S. Anna Maria Arcangeli. Guitarist: Emanuele Girolamo, S. Vitale. Maria Ausili- atrice) prayed the Way of the Study seminar Cross with the texts and in the On Wednesday 21st March 2018, at 8:45 places of the pm, a study seminar was held at the ISSR Blessed Alber- “Alberto Marvelli” on the occasion of the to. centenary of Alberto’s birth: Only saints leave traces. A cake for Alberto On Saturday 5th May, the Catholic Action Association celebrated the 150 years of foundation of the Association and the 100th anniversary of Alberto’s birth in piazza Cavour.

­14 IN CONVERSATION WITH THE READERS

ALBERTO MARVELLI

Chile Bari I am on an Extraordinary Visit to our Mis- In the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, there sionary Province of Chile. As you know, it will be the Dedication of the church and is a very delicate moment for the Church of the altar of our new church, dedicated and for the Chilean society in general. In to the Sacred Heart. For this anniversary, that context, a and a Catholic youth we wish to place the relic of the Blessed shine with a strong sense of belonging Alberto Marvelli among the relics of the and ecclesiality. My brothers, who work in saints that the Bishop will depose beneath the missionary lands dreamt of by Don Bo- the altar. This desire also arises as a sign of sco, in Punta Arenas, asked me to have a attention towards the young people of the small relic of the Blessed Marvelli, in order Parish, to whom we presented the figure to continue to disseminate and to radiate of Alberto on several occasions. I ask you, his youthful holiness not only in the con- therefore, if you can offer us a relic of the text of his centennial year. Blessed Alberto so as to fulfil our desire. Father Guillermo Basanes, Father Mimmo Falco, Salesian missionary priest of the Sacro Cuore Parish in Bari

Germany China In our Parish we have a chapel dedicated to the “Merciful Face”. We want to make it a meeting place for witnesses of the faith. The veneration of the Saints is an import- ant form of popular piety that we want to promote, because through their life and their works the face of mercy and love of God, Jesus Christ, has become concretely visible to all their neighbours. The life and witness of the Blessed Alberto can be an encouragement for the faithful, especially for our young people, to live I would like to have a relic of the Blessed their Christian faith in their daily life and to Alberto Marvelli, so that I can promote the witness it publicly. For this reason, we ask Gospel of God in my country through the you for a relic of the Blessed Alberto for works of the great saints, so that people public veneration and to make it known are encouraged to imitate their example. also in Germany. George Yeung Chihang, Canton Thomas Stude, Dormagen (in Chinese Guangzhou)

­15 IN CONVERSATION WITH THE READERS

CARLA RONCI

Ivo Micheloni writes from the will of God for my life. I would like Corrientes (Argentina) to have a relic of Carla for my personal devotion and to spread her holiness in my parish.

Joaquin Da Silva Izidorio writes from Salgado (Brazil) I would like to ask for a relic of Carla Ronci. I know her story. At 24, the gates of the Orsoline convent in Gandino, near Berga- mo, opened for her, but on 19th March 1958 she had to go back home by force. Then she took her vows as a consecrated lay at the Secular Institute Ancelle Mater I put my 7-year-old sick niece under Carla Misericordiae in Macerata. On 6th Janu- Ronci’s protection; we continually pray ary 1963, while practising her profession, her and we are receiving great help and Carla offered herself to God for the holi- comfort from Carla. I would like a relic ness of the priests, and God seemed to and a medal of Carla, and also images and accept her offer. On 21st January 1970, she booklets. was admitted to the Sant’Orsola hospital in , due to lung cancer. She died on 2nd April of the same year, in Rimini, at From Balheario the “Villa Maria” nursing home, at only 34 do Sud (Brazil) years of age. She was proclaimed venera- Wesley Cleber Martins writes to us to ask ble by John Paul II in 1997. for a relic of Carla Ronci and some holy cards and booklets to better know her and From Camarines Sur spread her devotion. (Philippines) He will pray that she will be beatified soon.

Alan Medeiros writes from Arcoverde (Brazil) I know the history and life of the Vener- able Carla Ronci: these saints bring us to God with their testimony. My father died of cancer in 2015 and Carla’s testimony strengthened me, because I understood ­16 IN CONVERSATION WITH THE READERS

I am president of the youth commis- of holiness and undeniable presence of sion, in my parish of St. Bartholomew the the Holy Spirit, so beautiful and stimulat- Apostle, I ask for a relic of the Venerable ing for me, is the reason why I would like Carla Ronci, because I firmly believe that, to obtain a sacred relic, with the authen- through devotion to the holy relics of the tication, of the Venerable Carla Ronci. I saints, we can obtain an improvement of hope my request can be accepted and faith in our community. I am sure that, that I may have in my hands a sacred relic through her intercession, I will obtain a of this extraordinary woman full of Christ’s strong help for today’s youth. love and grace. Joshua Bismonte From Brasilia (Brazil) Maria Teresa Zamora writes from Madero (Brazil) I am a catechist: I read the life of the Ven- erable Carla: she attracted me a lot, and I think she is a great model in all sectors, since, as the Holy Father Francisco says, “we are in this world, but we don’t belong to the world”. She is the example to follow in this sense. I like to pray for priests, who are always in my holy rosary. I am a widow, I introduce myself. I am de Oliveira, and I have dedicated my chastity to God, of the Congregation of the Rogationists now I live with my son on his vocational of the Heart of Jesus. I hereby ask you for journey, as he was called to the priest- a relic of the Venerable Carla Ronci. Thank hood. I would like to follow the example you for replying to this request. of the Venerable Carla Ronci, since every- one is called to be saint; it would be for me a great honour, comfort and joy in my heart to have a picture with a relic of Carla Ronci. I assure that it will have a very spe- cial place in my home and great respect.

David Aroni writes from Veracruz (Mexico) For a long time I was interested in and fascinated by Carla Ronci’s life; her intense love for Christ, her tireless search for eter- nal salvation, the living flame of love for others and, in order to follow Christ’s teachings, her apostolate full of clear signs ­17 Prayer to ask Prayer for for Venerable asking Carla Ronci’s for the intercession intercession of Blessed Alberto Marvelli

Lord, we thank you for bestowing Oh God, Almighty Father, rich of mercy, Carla Ronci upon us, and we thank We thank you for giving in Alberto the powerful action of Your Holy Marvelli Spirit, which blessed her with a sign of your love for us. many gifts. We praise you for her We contemplate the wonders that you willingness to fully consecrate have created herself to Jesus Christ through in his life: his strong life of prayer, chastity, poverty and obedience; his generous social and political for the great dedication she had dedication, his ardent love for the poor. to her educational task during her In any aspect of his life everyday ecclesial commitments; for he practised heroically her willingness to follow her priestly faith, hope and charity. vocation and the sanctification of We ask you, Father, for the intercession presbyteries; for her fervent prayers, of Alberto, which enabled her to endure allow us to imitate his virtues and to suffering with strength and serenity; become like him for her simple life the constant witnesses of Your love in the world. help she gave to her neighbours. We also ask you any spiritual and Father, grant us, through Carla’s material grace. intercession, the ability to follow our We ask you peace and salvation for Your Church, path as virtuously as she did. We also that Alberto loved and served. ask you for spiritual and material grace. Make Alberto well-known all over the Church If your divine plan allows it, let Carla for Your name’s glory and honour. be beatified and known by the whole Church, for the sake of us and Amen Your glory. Amen. With ecclesiastical approval (Approved by the Church)