Blessed Rose Venerini

Blessed Rose was born at Viterbo in 1656, the daughter of Godfrey Venerini, a physician. Her early life was marked by personal tragedy when a young man who had been paying court to her died, leading her to enter a convent. However, after a few months, she had to return home to look after her widowed mother, which would prove to be a turning point in her life and vocation.

During this time at home, Rose used to gather the women and girls of the neighborhood to say the rosary together in the evenings. When she discovered how ignorant many of them were of their religion, she began to instruct them. This simple act of gathering neighbors for prayer and instruction would become the foundation of her life's work in education and evangelization.

She was directed by Father Ignatius Martinelli, a Jesuit, who convinced her that her vocation was as a teacher "in the world" rather than as a contemplative in a convent. This spiritual guidance would prove crucial in shaping her mission. In 1685, with two helpers, Rose opened a preschool for girls in Viterbo, which soon became a success and marked the beginning of her educational apostolate.

Blessed Rose had the gift of ready and persuasive speech, and a real ability to teach and to teach others to teach. She was not daunted by any difficulty when the service of God was in question. Her reputation spread, and in 1692, she was invited by Cardinal Barbarigo to advise and help in the training of teachers and organizing of schools in his diocese of Montefiascone.

Here she was the mentor and friend of Lucy Filippini, who became foundress of an institute of maestre pie and was canonized in 1930. Rose organized a number of schools in various places, sometimes in the face of opposition that resorted to force in unbelievable fashion - the teachers were shot at with bows and their house fired. Her patience and trust overcame all obstacles.

In 1713, she made a foundation in Rome that received the praise of Pope Clement XI himself. It was in Rome that she died on May 7, 1728. Her reputation of holiness was confirmed by miracles, and in 1952, she was beatified. It was not until sometime after her death that Blessed Rose's lay school teachers were organized as a religious congregation: they are found in America as well as in Italy, for the Venerini Sisters have worked among Italian immigrants since early in the twentieth century.

Liturgical Celebration

Blessed Rose Venerini is celebrated on May 7th. This feast day honors her pioneering work in Catholic education, her courage in the face of opposition, and her dedication to teaching and forming young women in the faith.

Traditions and Customs

On this day, many Catholics pray for educators, for Catholic schools, for those working in education, and for the courage to face opposition when serving God. It's also a day to reflect on the importance of education as a form of evangelization and the role of women in the Church's educational mission.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for Catholic educators and schools, for those facing opposition in their work for the Gospel, for the Venerini Sisters, and to ask for Blessed Rose's intercession in finding courage to serve God through education.