Saint Maria Giuseppe Rossello

St. Maria Giuseppa Rossello, originally born as Benedetta Rossello, was born on May 27, 1811, in Albissola Marina, Italy. She was the fourth of nine children in a poor family. Her father, Bartolomeo Rossello, was a potter, while her mother, Maria Dedone, took care of the household.

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Despite struggling with poor health during her childhood, Benedetta contributed to her family by caring for her siblings, especially after the deaths of her mother, father, and two siblings. Her responsibilities increased significantly after these losses, but she continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedication.

 

From a young age, Benedetta displayed deep piety and devotion to Christianity. Although she desired to join a religious order, her poor health and lack of dowry prevented her from being accepted. Her employers, who considered adopting her, could have provided the dowry but didn't, fearing they would lose her services.

 

Instead, Benedetta joined the Third Order of Saint Francis at the age of sixteen, deepening her spiritual commitment. This decision marked the beginning of her journey towards a life of service and devotion.

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Benedetta's life took a significant turn when she met Bishop De Mari of Savona, who was searching for someone to care for neglected children. Recognizing her generous spirit, the Bishop entrusted her with the task. On August 10, 1837, with the help of three co-workers, Benedetta founded the Conservatory of the Sisters of Mercy and Saint John the Baptist in Savona.

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She took the religious name Sister Maria Giuseppa (also known as Sister Maria Joseph) and became the Mistress of Novices and the institute's treasurer. The institute, later renamed the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, expanded rapidly under Sister Maria Giuseppa's leadership.

The Sisters dedicated themselves to educating the youth, caring for the sick, and performing works of mercy. In 1840, Sister Maria Giuseppa was appointed Superior General of the order, a position she held for forty years. During her tenure, the order established foundations not only in Italy but also in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Peru.

Today, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy are present in 19 countries across five continents. Sister Maria Giuseppa Rossello passed away on December 7, 1880, due to heart complications brought on by her strenuous work. She was 69 years old and was buried in Savona.

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Her feast day is celebrated on December 7. Pope Pius XII canonized her on June 12, 1949, and she is recognized as the patron saint of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy and potters.

Notably, when her body was exhumed several years after her death, it was found to be incorrupt, and her heart, which was removed as a relic, remained intact and continued to emit blood. This miraculous phenomenon is a testament to her extraordinary holiness and devotion.

St. Maria Giuseppa Rossello's life exemplifies deep faith, resilience, and unwavering dedication to serving others. Her legacy lives on through the continued work of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, inspiring generations to follow in her footsteps.