Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano

Luce means “Clear Light” Feast Day: October 7 Born: October 29, 1971 Died: October 7, 1990 Beatified: September 25, 2010 by Benedict XVI

Chiara Badano was born in to very faith-filled family. Her parents tried to conceive a baby for eleven years before Chiara was finally born. At age 9, she joined the founded in 1943 by a woman also named Chiara. started the Catholic movement during WWII in the hope of spreading peace and unity. Chiara Badano was greatly inspired at her first Focolare meeting. She became more attentive to the Faith. She went on retreats and was active in the youth group of her church. When Chiara Badano was 16, she traveled to for a Focolare event. There she met Chiara Lubich and the two became great acquaintances and regularly kept in touch. Lubich called Badano “Luce,” meaning “light” saying, “your luminous face shows your love for Jesus.” Chiara Badano loved swimming, tennis, mountain climbing and hanging out at coffee shops. She wished to become a flight attendant to fulfill her love of adventure. After experiencing sharp pains in her shoulder, she was diagnosed with a tumor called osteogenic sarcoma. During surgery, she was visited by the Blessed Mother who lovingly held her hand. It filled Chiara with great joy. For two years, Chiara endured immense suffering. However, she knew that suffering could be redemptive. She offered her pain in union with the suffering of Jesus for forgiveness of sins. She was happy to use her suffering for the work of God saying, “If this is what you want, Jesus, so do I.” The very strong chemotherapy caused her hair to fall out. Every time she lost a clump of hair she would say, “For you Jesus.” Her pain was intense, yet she would refuse morphine explaining, “I want to share as much as possible in His suffering on the cross.” The morning after a particularly painful night, she stated, “I suffered a lot, but my soul was singing.” As her condition worsened, she said, “I have nothing left, but I still have my heart, and with that I can always love.”

Chiara knew her time was growing short reflecting, “Previously, I felt…the most I could do was to let go. Instead, now I feel enfolded in a marvelous plan of God which is slowly being unveiled to me.” She tried to comfort her parents encouraging them to think of her being with Jesus. She died on October 7, 1990 surrounded by her family and friends. Her last words were, “Goodbye. Be happy because I am happy.” After her death, Chiara’s intercession was sought for an Italian boy with meningitis whose organs were shutting down and his death was imminent. He was fully healed after his parents’ prayers to God through Chiara. Doctors could not explain the boy’s sudden and complete healing and it was deemed a miracle.