VATICAN CITY, MAY 23, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today praised the sanctity of a 19th century Italian laywoman, beatified Saturday in Benevento.
Teresa Manganiello (1849-1876) was the 11th child of a peasant family; she became a Third Order Franciscan.
After praying today’s midday Regina Caeli with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father said this of her: «[S]he lived a simple and humble life between house work and spiritual work in the church of the Capuchins.
«Like St. Francis of Assisi, she tried to imitate Jesus Christ, offering up sufferings and penances in reparation for sins, and she was filled with love for her neighbor.»
The Pontiff noted how Blessed Teresa «spent herself for all, especially for the poor and the sick.»
«Always smiling and sweet, she departed for heaven, where her heart was already living, when she was only 27,» he said. «Let us thank God for this luminous witness to the Gospel!»
