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May 19, Pope John Paul II will read a bull of canonization which has
been ready for years in Brazil. After 502 years of Christianity
Brazil will have its very own saint, Mother Paulina of the Agonizing
Heart of Jesus, who founded the Little Sisters of the Immaculate
Conception. Fr. Alecio Azevedo, in charge of the Shrine dedicated to
Mother Paulina in Vigolo, southern Brazil, tells: "The news of
the canonization brings great joy, but also responsibility to each
and all. It will announce to the world our faith and confidence in
baptism. Everything is made new. The miracle of a healed child,
prayers answered: this strengthens our trust that God helps us also
through his Saints."
Mother Paulina, born Amabile Lucia Visintainer, grew up in Vigolo, in
Brazil but she was born in Italy at Vigolo Vattaro (Trent) on
December 16, 1865. Amabile was ten years old when her family
emigrated to Brazil. While still a child Amabile performed acts of
charity. At the age of twelve she helped in the parish, teaching
catechism to younger children, visiting the sick, cleaning the
little church. When she was 25, Amabile and a friend, Virginia Rosa
Nicolodi, obtained permission from their parents to go to live in an
old empty house to care for a woman suffering with cancer: this was
the first step towards founding the Sisters of the Little Sisters of
the Immaculate Conception. It was July 12, 1890, the date recorded
as the foundation of Mother Paulina’s Sisters, Brazil’s first
locally founded religious Congregation.
In 1895 Amabile and the small group of women who had joined her, are officially recognized as the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception. In December of the same year they take their religious vows and Amabillle Lucia Visitainer is given the name of Sister Paulina do Coracao Agonizante de Jesus. The Sisters live in extreme poverty and besides assisting the sick and orphans they work on plantations and at a small local silk factory. In 1903 Mother Paulina opens Holy Family House in Sao Paulo for old people and the children of former slaves. The institute expands and other Houses are opened. For nine years, 1909-1918 Mother Paolina suffers humiliation, political maneuvers remove her from the position of Superior of her congregation. In 1938 she is stricken by physical suffering: diabetes which leads to amputation and total blindness. She dies on July 9, 1942.
(From Fides Service)