Blessed

Benedetta
01

Bianchi
Porro
"Solemn Thread, Heroic Concept,
Prophetic Tone"
02

Let us know her

Topics

Early Life
The Decade of Suffering (1955-1964)
Dies Natalis
Cause for Sainthood
Written Works (Letters, Diary, and Quotes)
Her Human Experience
 "Life has only one face-
LOVE"

03 - Bl. Benedetta Bianchi Porro

 04

Blessed Benedetta

Is an Italian mystic, and young

layperson from the Diocese of
Forli who is known as a victim
soul, for facing so much
sufferings all throughout her life,
from the day of her birth until her
death, and show a life of holiness
and trust in God, in spite of
numerous ailments that she had.
Her Early Life
From Infancy to Early Adulthood

05
Her Birth and
Early Infancy
August 8, 1936

A Miracle took place

Born with internal hemorrhage

Baptized twice
Name change

Beginning of a Life of
Suffering

Suffered from Polio (Right Leg is

limped, causing her to wear
orthopedic shoes) beginning in
06
November 1936
 Her Young
Characteristics
"Pensive and even-tempered"

Obedient but too intransigent

"Genuine girl with self-respect"

Awareness of the frugality of time

Sensitive and Honest

"Incisiveness of her likes and dislikes",

"increasingly aware of her own faults and
eager to cure them"

07
Early Sufferings in Her Childhood

World War II Polio and Deafness Moving from

Dovadola to
Sirmione

"But in life, I want to

be like others,
maybe more, I wish I
could be someone
great..."
-Diary, 1949

09
 1951
She sufffered from shaky
hands after a Piano Practice

1953
She began to lose her sense
of hearing and later become
deaf

Oct. 6, 1953
10
She graduated early from High School

Her 2 Courses in
College
"I want to live and
11
struggle and sacrifice
myself for all men."
-Diary, 1953
Physics: Obeying Her
Father's Wishes (10/28/53)
"Finally I decided to take Physics just to
please daddy... In Milan, the first days were
terrible... I didn't like Mathematics, the days
passed and I became more and ore
frightened and worried that I might have to
study maths for the rest of my life..."
Medicine: Her True Dream
Course (11/28/53)
""they left me free to choose the course I
wanted... in spite of a ll the advice given
to me this summer, I decided to take
Medicine... I was so keen to get down to
my studies. I had always dreamed of
becoming a doctor!... I must find s cure,
whatever it be..."
The Decade of
Suffering (1955-1964)
The Radiance of her Holiness resonated by
her Sufferings

12
 Her Deafness affects her College Life
"There is the inconvenience of being deaf."
Felt socially-isolated
"... believe me, people laugh at
deafness, and it is really ridiculous
when you don't hear someone
speaking. I've experienced it directly
with other people... I think it's better
to hear your own soul than
somebody's gossip."
"I tried to be as remote as possible
so that they wouldn't speak to me: I
certaintly wouldn't have heard
Anxiety at classes
"I really get too worked up over
nonsense and I'm ruining my
nervous system. I feel sad and
empty because all my ideals are
still so far away, and I need a
nearer goal to be able to reach."
"At half-past eleven this morning, I
was in the last row and didn't
understand anything."
She took the Oral
Exams of 1955 twice
She was unable to answer an oral
question from her professor
which caused her shame, but
with the help of her mother, she
was able to retook the exam and
passed with flying colors.
The Discovery and
Diagnosis of Her Illness
Late 1956 - Early 1957

Her Self-Diagnosis
She showed an anatomy text to her Mother's friend, to explain
about her deafness as a symptom of a sicknes

The Approval from Doctors

It took months of persuasion and analyses to finally proved that
she did suffer from Neurofibromatosis (Von Recklinghausen's),
when she was officially diagnosed on Feb. 27 1957

14
 "The Cross is the sense of everything."

15 - Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro

 Surgeries

July 12, 1955 June 27, 1957 Aug. 7, 1959

A surgery to shorten her left femur by A scheduled surgical operation was She was admitted to the Beretta
3-4 inches to have the equal length of made to remove a nodule in the Clinic in Verona, where she
her legs, to be able to walk properly acoustic nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII), only underwent a spinal cord operation
for the Facial nerve in her left side to be due to spinal arachnoiditis, and it
cut by mistake led to partial paralysis to her lower
limbs.
 Her Medicine Studies were abruptly ended

Perseverance Courses Last exam failed She dropped out

Fourth Year Courses:
anatomy & pathology,
In spite of her illness, she special medical pathology, She failed in her last In November 30, 1960, as
would sometimes go out special surgical pathology, exam, Hygiene, a Minor her condition worsened,
of the Hospital/Clinic to and clinical otolaryngology Subject on June 23, 1959 she submitted an
attend classes and take and was unable to retake application of
Fifth Year Courses: Anatomy
examinations. her exam because of the "Renunciation of Studies"
and Pathological Histology,
August 1959 paralysis. to the University's rector
Medical Clinic, Surgical Clinic,
Hygiene , Clinic of nervous
diseases, Dermosyphilopathic
17 Clinic, Ophthalmology and
Dentistry Clinic.
 The Madonna is the mother of
pure love.

18 -Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro

Pilgrimage to
Lourdes
May 24-31, 1962
She went on her first pilgrimage
with UNALSI

June 24-30, 1963

She went on her second pilrgimage
with her mother and OFTAL 19
 The Living
Miracle of the
Blessed
It took place at the 1st Pilgrimage

On the final day, a young woman named Maria della

Bosca, who was totally paralyzed wishes to be healed
since her mother was suffering from illness, Blessed
Benedetta encouraged her to pray to the Madonna of
Lourdes, by reaching her hand and pressing it, saying,
"Maria, the Madonna is there... The Madonna's looking
at you! Maria! Tell the Madonna!" And after praying,
suddenly Maria was able to stand up and walk
normally

20
'62-'63: The Year of Intense suffering

pressure sores on the sacrum and

the left gluteal region, physiological
functions were impossible. 14 teeth
were extracted. The eye check
showed that the stasis was
accentuated with intense edema of
the papillae.

October 15, 1962 February 27, 1963

She was sent to the hospital where she She underwent surgery, 10 days apart:
was treated from complications from On the 17th, she suffered build-up of
Neurofibromatosis liquid in her brain due to obstructions
On the 27th, she underwent surgery
which led to total blindness and paralysis
 How hard is it my God, how hard... How
much suffering! The cross is heavier
than I can bear... But I want to give it
freely with joy, under constriction... Yes,
the Lord is my shepherd... Thank you for
reminding me...

-Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro

22 (uttered on the night of Feb. 27, 1963)
Dies Natalis
""I am not dying, I am entering life" - St. Therese of
Lisieux

23
 Some of the last words she uttered...

What we should
Invocation of Who is Our Awaiting the
do to gain
the Holy Ghost Lord to us? "Meeting"
eternal life?
"In spite of appearances, I
"Come, Divine Spirit, "Jesus is the fulcrum, "Let us not give Him am completely resigned.
purify what's unclean the bridge, Christian little but everything." Such peace fills my heart
and give serenity in Unity, the strength of as I wait for my meeting
"Let us not sit in the
pain". the Church, the with the Father. I'll pray for
back row at school -
wealth of the Spirit" you all, and wait for you in
let's stand in front, near
Him, so that we can Heaven."
better understand the
24 order of our calling."
Foreseeing Her Death

All Saints Day, 1963

Bl. Benedetta dreamt of entering the cemetery of
Dovadola, and upon entering, she saw only one tomb
that is opened, her family tomb; in it, she saw a white
rose glaring in a sea of light

Jan. 22, 1964: The Eve of Her Feast

"She said, "Tomorrow I shall die, Emilia. Stay close to my
mother." Shortly afterwards she said that she felt bad,
but when I suggested calling her mother, she said, "No,
don't wake her - let her rest for tomorrow." - Emilia Betalli,
25
 "A Sweet Sign
appeared"
A swallow bird flew after Breakfast
and a miracle happened

Blessed Benedetta sang a song "Little Pilgrim

Swallow" and after which, it flew into the garden,
which was covered in frost. After which, while her
mother was in the kitchen, she saw suddenly a
small patch and when the mother went out, she
saw a white rose suddenly blossomed in the
middle of snow.

26
Praying and Meditating on a few books

The Story of a Letter from Lucio "The Beggar and

Soul and a Letter from the King"
by St. Therese of Lisieux Epoca by Rabindranath Tagore

 After reading "The Story of a Soul"

Her mother went to get some snacks
and told that the time is already 11, but
she said, "No mamma, its ten. it's time
already."

Blood Flow out of her mouth

Her family called the priest and doctor,
and she was given an intravenous
Her Time
injection, and while in her final moments,
she hinted her mother on the legend by
has come...
Tagore, and said this, " What are you
doing to me again?

Grazie!
Her Final Word before dying at 10:40am at her
home in Sirmione! After her death, her face
suddenly changed to be more beautiful.
 "The Saints are the
perennial revelation of
God." -Blessed Benedetta

Cause for
30

Sainthood

A Saint for our times...

 Jan. 24, 1964 at
4pm
Blessed Benedetta was given a solemn
Requiem Mass

Jan. 25, 1964

Blessed Benedetta's remains were buried at the
family plot, beside her maternal grandparents'
tomb in the cemetery of Dovadola

Mar. 22, 1969

Her remains were transferred and reburied at
31
the Benedictine Abbey of S. Andrea in Dovadola
 Cause for Beatification proceeded

Dec. 10, 1971 Jan 25. 1976

The Preliminary phase for the
The Cause was solemnly opened at the December 23, 1993
Cathedral of Forli after the Nihil Obstat
Cause for Beatification and Blessed Benedetta was declared as
was granted by Pope Paul VI on July 12,
Canonization commenced after Venerable through the Decree of
1975 and the decree of opening of the
approval from 3 Dioceses and the Heroic Virtues promulgated by His
Cognitive Hearing was signed by the
help of the Postulator, Fra Holiness, Pope John Paul II.
Bishop of Forli on Dec. 8 of the same
Bernardino da Siena, who was the
year. The Cognitive Hearing Process
1st Postulator of Padre Pio's Cause
was closed officially on July 9, 1977
 Iudicium Prioris Theologi Censoris (Feb. 1978)
"The Examination of the writings of the Servant of God Benedetta
Bianchi Porro may be summed up as follows:"

(1) The thought (2) Although in the (3) It is difficult to (4) From her writings, the necessary courage
so that, even in the grips
diary, we observed a find a spiritual link particularly those of the
expressed in her last three years and those of fear, she might always
note of pessimism between her life as remain strong.
writings is which veiled her
which she dictated, her
lived before the spiritual personality (5) We can affirm
completely existence when grave emerges with great that from the writings
year 1961 and that
orthodox and in illness, and charity together with the of the Servant of
particularly deafness, lived afterwards supernatural life, fully lived
God, there clearly
conformity with when, motionless as self-abandonment in
began to make itself emerges her
the doctrine of felt,, herbehaviour, in bed, it
the hands of Jesus, "my
became shepherd", whose will it faithfulness to the
the Church. nevertheless and her an expression of was that she should taste realization of the
psychic equilibrium faith and of love the cup of suffering to the Gospel ideal to the
last drop, together often point of supreme
have always
33 for God with temptation, always, martyrdom for the
remained firm
however, infusing her with good of souls..
 Story
Story

The Miracle for

Among the numerous significant graces attributed to
her, the one that occurred to a young Genoese, Stefano
Anerdi, was taken into consideration as a possible

Beatification
miracle to obtain her beatification.As reported by the
newspaper «L'Arena», on 7 March 2014, in 1986 Stefano,
who was twenty years old, had a car accident. Her
mother, who had read a biography of Benedetta, started
a novena to ask her to watch over her son. At the end of
the nine days of prayer, Stephen came out of the coma
and in a short time fully recovered.

34 Approval of the Miracle

The Miracle was officially approved by Pope
Francis through the Decree in Recognition of
a Miracle, which was promulgated on
November 7, 2018, thus paving the way for her
Beatification
 Exhumation of the Body

April 2, 2019
"The body is intact and shows a relatively good state of conservation. Removed
the veil that covered it, it was possible to easily recognize the clothes and the
35
various parts of the body. The skin is dark, the hair well preserved."
"The shadow of the
Cross looms over
everything."
Blessed Benedetta was beatified on
Sept. 14, 2019 at the Forli Cathedral.

36
 APOSTOLIC LETTER

Acceding to the desire of our Brother,

the Most Reverend Livio Corazza,
Bishop of Forli-Bertinoro
and many of our other Brothers in the Episcopate
and members of Christ’s faithful,
having consulted the Congregation for the Causes of Saints,
We, by our Apostolic Authority,
decree that the Venerable Servant of God
BENEDETTA BIANCHI PORRO
Laywoman,
who for love of Christ,
accepted her sickness as a precious gift,
uniting herself to the glorious Cross of the Lord
henceforth be given the title of Blessed
and that her liturgical memorial be kept each year on 23 January,
in those places laid down by the norm of law.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, on 22 August,

in the year 2019,
the seventh of Our Pontificate
FRANCISCUS PP
 Beatification Mass
Homily of Msgr. Angelo Becciu (fmr. Card.)
"She was a true witness of the cross. She sacrificed her life following the
example of Jesus and in union with him. We are faced with a fascinating
existence: the human and spiritual greatness of an extraordinarily gifted
young woman, who managed to courageously overcome and translate
the most conditions into an evangelical key."

"In 1961, Benedetta wrote: "The saints are a perennial revelation of God, like
reading their life of him". This is precisely the reality that the life of our
Blessed transmits to us. A young lay woman who presents herself as an
excellent model for the Church today, especially for young people and the
sick: apparently inactive, she carried out a fruitful apostolate among the
young and the suffering, so as to transform her entire life into
abandonment and into boundless trust in God's help. The words with which
Benedetta's mother summarizes the life of her daughter resound with
prophecy: "she died next to us so that we could learn to live" Yes,
Benedetta teaches us today to firmly place the edifice of our existence not
on the sand of what is ephemeral and fleeting, but on Jesus Christ, the
38 rock that is not scratched by the wear and tear of time.
 39

Themes:

Devotion to Our Lady

Saints' influence

Letters, Diary and Mystical Visions

Advice on Life

Quotes The Cross

Suffering
Nature
Her Admission of Failures
The Virtues
 Her Writings have made an
impact to so many...

Her Diary Notebooks and a few scribbles

40
 Devotion to Our Lady

Letter to Don Gabriele, Letter to Roberto Letter to Francesca

(Oct. 1, 1963) (July 5, 1963) (June 10, 1963)
"The Madonna is dear to me, "But now I can feel the sweetness "I'm going to Lourdes... to draw
too, Don Gabriele... But above of Resignation. The Madonna has strength from the Celestial
all, the Madonna is dear to me, paid me back for what I no longer Mother, because I can't accustom
because she is the heavenly possess. I realise that everything myself, as I should like, to living 41

mother, and such I consider her which was taken away from me happily in the dark, in the
with great and tender has been restored because I expectation of a light more vivid
affection.... She watches us from possess the wealth of the spirit, and warmer than the sun
above and leads us by hand This is the miracle of Lourdes for
towards Him." me this year, Roberto."

"The Madonna is the temperest of all mothers."

 The Influence of Saints
St. Augustine
(Letter to an unknown
friend, before Christmas
1961)
"There's only one truth, but there
are so many ways of reaching it.
You're on one of the right ones. I
know. Your letter made me think
of something St. Augustine says in
the Confessions. remembering
the time before his conversion, 'O
Truth, Truth, what deep sighs rose
towards you, even from the
depths of my soul.' Yes, of course, I
shall remember you."
St. Francis of
Assisi
(Letter to Maria
Grazia, 2/21/60)
"Are you familiar with the
Canticle of Creation by St.
Francis of Assisi, It is out of
this world. And yet, I don't
raise hymns of praise of any
kind."
St. Francis de Sales St. Therese of
(Letter to Maria Lisieux
Grazia, 1/3/64)
(Letter to Maria
"I understand these words
Grazia, 2/15/61
perfectly because I feel I can
"I'm reading (though it's
apply them quite naturally. This
daily bread rather than
is my sweet hope. St. Francis de
just reading) "The Story of
Sales said, "Don't try to reason
a Soul" by St. Therese,
about affliction and
which is an enchanting
contradiction, but accept them
book to say the least.
with gentleness and patience, it
being enough for you to know
that they come from the hand
of God."
 Mystical Visions
Diary, undated
"A strange dream; I never had anything like Letter to Maria Grazia Letter to Roberto
it before. I seemed to be in a large valley, (Oct. 16, 1963) (May 17, 1963)
full of flowers. I was not alone but
surrounded by a large number of people,"...I often find myself flat on the "a few days to draw myself more
and all of them were either working or
ground, under the weight of the closer to God and talk to Him with
enjoying themselves.
Cross. Then I call out to Him with the tenderness about all of you,
The Valley was divided: on one side was an
immense stairway which disappeared from Love, lying at His Feet, and He lets who are helping me along the
43
view in the vault of heaven; on the other me rest my head on His Lap..." way of my Calvary."
side a bottomless pit. Then I saw that some
of the people were going towards the Letter to Sis. Domenica
stairway and climbing it up singing, while (Oct. 16, 1963)
others were falling into the abyss, and the
sound of their agonizing screams growing "My days are long and
fainter and fainter reached my ears. And wearisome, but with the Divine
there I sat on the grass, in silence...
Assistance, I am able to rest,
Suddenly the valley was shaken by an
earthquake, inundated by floods, filled with
abandoning myself on the
screams and I cried out for help in vain." shoulders of Christ."
 "The Lord gives Himself to us so that we can

Advice on Life give Himself to others." (Dec. 31, 1963)

Benedetta to Roberto Benedetta to Maria Letter to Roberto

(Apr. 8, 1963) Grazia (July 1961) (April 2, 1961)
"By no means, you should not say "Do you pray with the psalter, too?
"Always invoke Him before
that you no longer trust God. That is It's very useful. One goes through
doing something; Jesus will
the great ill. God can do everything. periods when one's like parched
keep watch over you. Say
God allows, but He can do earth, and then the psalter asks
compline every evening; I
everything... on our behalf; I know from 44
always did when I could see.
When I am tempted, I too, confess; experience... If I think of all my
that way you get rid of what is bad Remember the words of the
faults! I was much consoled to
and draw strength. Try and find a read in the psalter, 'he who knows Lord: "In patience, you shall
fixed, mature confessor and then what stuff we are made of: He possess your souls"
always go to him for advice. Don't remembers that we are but dust.' "
change: knowing you, he'll be able to
guide you better."
 "The Cross always takes on the
The Cross aspect we are least expecting."

Benedetta to Francesca Benedetta to Sr. Alberta Benedetta to her Mother

(undated) (May 24, 1963) (April 1959)

"I found myself abandoned on "The Madonna has given me "How wonderful is it, mamma! I
the shoulders of Christ. First of Christian resignation. 'Take up believe in love that came down
all, the idea frightened me, it your cross and follow me - that from heaven, in Jesus Christ, and
was the fear of the cross. Then I is to say, accept your pain just His Glorious Cross. Yes, I believe
remember the words, "The cross as it is. Abandon your criterion in Love."
is the sign of God in man", at to follow mine."
that every fear dissipated like
fog in the sun."
 Suffering
Benedetta to Sr. Alberta Benedetta to Lucio Benedetta to Umberto
(May 24, 1963) (June 7, 1963) (July 24, 1963)

"I'll do as you advise with my "I struggle, and even only for a "If I look back, I find that I, too, have
sacrifices. I always offer my moment, a helping hand puts suffered untold pain and agitation,
suffering to God, but I don't ask me back on the road towars and in my struggle, I searched for
for it to be used for any Heaven, our only True Him -Him alone- all the time.
46
particular scope. He knows Homeland. My darkness weighs "Where shall you go. I have the
words of eternal life." He came
better than I do what scope it heavily on me, but I prefer it if
and consoled me. He embraced
may serve." this is the price I must pay to
me in my moments of fear and
walk with greater light in my
greatest pain, just when
heart."
everything else seemed to
crumble."
"Suffering is standing with the Madonna at the foot of the Cross."
 Nature "When the Lord speaks, all creatures are silent."
"God has established that repetition should be life on this earth."

Letter to Roberto Diary (1953) Letter to Sofia

(April 2, 1963)
"You told me what clour the sky
was on Sunday Night. How
beautiful, isn't it? And it's all the
work of God, It's all so beautiful -
sky, sea, green fields, and full of
flowers."
"Finally I am free! But the sky is
grey and cloudy and everything
seems dull and sad, instead of
smiling through my soul... I am
tired of everything and of nothing. I
desire a little peace and serenity,
but can man ever attain this?"
(Sept. 19, 1963)
"I feel very sad because it is a
creature of God who is saying, 'I
am leaving'.
Leaving is a little like dying.... If a
seed falls into the ground and
doesn't die, it shall not give
bread and peace."
The Virtues

Through her writings, the

virtues uphold by the Church
are given new meaning by her
reflections

48
 Her meaning on the virtues

Charity Patience Faith Hope

"Charity is the divine "Faith makes you "Hope is blind faith in Him"
"Patience is knowing
flame which tempers work wonders."
how to wait for divine "Hope is the divine remedy
every soul." "Faith is the greatest
decisions." for every human ill."
"Charity is death to medicine that God
"Hope is to glimpse what
every form of pride" "Patience is the weapon has given us."
with which Christ is good without
"Charity is making "Faith is a pinnacle
conquered the possessing it yet."
oneself nothing in God which dominates
shadows."
everything.""

49
 Her meaning on the virtues

Peace Obedience Trust Purity

"Peace comes when "Purity is the reflection of
we no longer reap for "Obedience is the "Trust in God, with the Virgin."
our own barn, but for rudder which takes your eyes shut."

God's the boat safely into "Always make yourselves

"Peace is like the light the port of heaven."
pure because it is the only
that accompanies thing that makes for
"Obedience brings
the rising of the sun; happiness in this world of
humility in return."
peace accompanies sadness."
the onset of the "To obey the superiors is to
Kingdom of God." obey God, that their
50 authority comes from Him."
 Her meaning on the virtues

Mercy Humility Wisdom Other Virtues

"The mercy of God is "Humility is the most "Wisdom is seeing "Simplicity is the humility of
greater than the hidden of the virtues human things in the spirit."
universe; you never and the most divine light." "Docility is letting God
come to the end of it." perfumed. Mary is the enter the soul."
mother of all humility." "Wisdom is a light to
"Divine mercy "Happiness is overcoming
understand what is
outstrips all hope." "Humility and simplicity are the
oneself to find peace in
steps that lead up to God." pleasing to God."
"God's mercy is an God."
abyss." "Humility is making yourself
"Perseverance is the
as small as a child."
best guarantee in
51
front of God."
 Her Humanly Aspects

52
 She pranked someone
"... Elettra is still the same one, the other night she came
home at midnight and we, knowing what general
disappearance of stuff she would do for hunger, loaded the
alarm clock catching her in the act ... then we put a basin
full of water in the bathroom behind the door and she, who
always goes inside without turning on the light, went to fall
into it! So funny…" (Letter to Leonida, March 7, 1955)

She is saddened by news

"Gabriele cried, and although I didn't let anyone see, so did
I... Oh, Turin! What a massacre! Poor heroes who will remain
always in my mind while their images will be always present
in my heart." (Diary, May 1949)
She laughed
"I went to the cinema and had a lovely time because there
were two ridiculous actors and I was bursting with laughter
the whole time." (Diary, undated)

She had arguments with siblings

""Quarreled with my brothers and sisters and we hit each other,
53
but mamma made it up for us later." (Diary, undated)
 She was scared of the war
"More aeroplanes, I was frightened and I lay down in the
field... I hope that papa will arrive soon." (Diary, 1944)
She had arguments with relatives
"We quarreled with my aunt about people from Rome. Somebody
said that they're dirty, somebody else said that they're clean-
honestly you just don;t know where you are. (Diary, 1944)
She hated a school subject
"Today, there was that wretched subject, drawing, which I dislike so
much. I can't see what possible use it is in the life of a woman." (Diary)
She wanted to reform her life
"Mamma's cross and she's perfectly right because we're naughty
with her. I shall try to improve. (Diary)
She had concern for the less fortunate
54
"This morning at school, lots of children were eating cakes, and so I
thought of the children who hardly ever even see them."(Diary,
12/13/45)
She had good grades.
"Passed with an average of 8.5. What happiness! What joy!" (Diary)
 She failed with low grades.
"Today I had five in a Latin exercise. What a defeat - I'm furious! I'll
try and be more careful another time (Diary)
She loved reading
"Stayed at Desenzano. While I was at CIT, I saw a book I wanted to
buy, the 'Pensees' by Pascal." (Diary, 2/6/53)
"Bought the book." (Diary, 2/7/53)
"As Pascal says, the hunt is better than the kill. We mortals are
composed of sorrow and infinite poverty, and to forget these things,
we have to had amusements."(Diary, 2/17/53)
She got angry
"Last night, I shouted at [Manuela] over several things (she had
thrown a glass of water out of the bathroom window and written too
intimate to a girl she hardly knows at all), but I did it calmly and
afterwards it was as though nothing had happened." (Diary, 1954)
She persevered in her studies, in spite of illness.
"Ciao mamma, forgive me if I'm not here, I've gone to sit a pathology
exam. I'l try and be quick. See you soon. " (note to her mother, 1955)
She understood and forgave.
"You did everything you could. Give me your hand and do not worry.
These things happen: after all, you're not God Almighty, are you?" -
Benedetta to Dr. Augusto Beduschi, June 27, 1957
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 She helped in her siblings' studies
"Well, I am too, in a matter of fact: every morning with Carmen who
goes to school in the afternoon, and in the afternoon, with Corrado,
who goes in the morning. I have to get involved in their studying and
inevitably I live through the effort of it with them. In the morning, I do
the second elementary class (if you please!) and study
multiplication tables, catechism, etc.; and in the afternoon, there I
am in the third year junior class, at grips with Caesar, syntax, the
wards of independence and the rest of the old team." (Letter to
Maria Grazia, 1960)
She fell in love with someone
"A couple of times towards the beginning of her illness and again
later when she sat working in the clinic, I noticed that her expression
became strained with suffering whenever she went near a certain
professor. 'What's the matter?' I asked her laughing, 'Are you in love?'
'Do you suppose mamma,' she said, 'that God has removed all
temptations from me? I'm made from flesh and blood, too.' "
(Account of Blessed Benedetta's mother, Elsa Giammarchi)
She comforted someone 56

"What news of Sandro? Heaven will comfort him in his sorrow. If the
seed doesn't die, it bears no fruit. He consoles the broken-hearted!
What are you doing? Yes, God lets us understand a bit at a time
what He wants of us and what we have to do. Certainly, sorrow and
love (And all the emotions) have their value for Him, even if we can;t
see it," (Letter to Maria Grazia, June 1961)
 She suffered from extreme sadness
"I'm going through a phase of great dryness: (what about you?) I
feel lonely, tired, a bit disgusted, and without much patience. The
most painful part of it, is that I have no peace ('... and the Lord
commanded the winds and the sea, and there was a great
peace...'). Pray for me, pray for me. I'm going through a tough time."
(Letter to Nicoletta, June 1962)
She was awed with a Relic of a Saint
"When [Padre Pio] came to us, he stopped in front of her and put a
hand on her head, then he took her by the hands and lifted her up,
and they looked at each other. Then Padre Pio went on. Benedetta
took off the scarf she had on her head and said, " I must keep this as
a relic." (Testimony of Carmen, Blessed Benedetta's aunt

She consoled her sister's fear of not bearing with child

"Some months later, I confided in Benedetta, my fear that I shouldn't

be able to have children. "Keep calm and pray," she said. "The Lord
often send us what we want when we've resigned ourselves to giving
it up. And so it was." -Testimony of Emanuela Bianchi Porro, her sister

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 Thank you
so much!!!!
"Come when you can.
I am well here and
there with you: I am
well where the Lord
wants me."
(Letter to Maria
Grazia, 1/3/64)

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