Religious
π Born: 8 November 1867, Crescenzago, Milan, Italy
✝️ Died: 7 September 1921 (aged 53), Parma, Italy
π Venerated in: Roman Catholic Church
πΏ Beatified: 7 October 2001, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
π Feast: 7 September
Attributes: Religious habit
“Blessed Eugenia Picco, shining example of humility and charity, pray for us.”
Eugenia Picco was born on November 8, 1867, in Crescenzago, a small town in the district of Milan, Italy, then part of the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia under Austrian rule. She was the only child of Giuseppe Picco, a renowned blind violinist who performed at La Scala, and Adelaide Del Corno, a singer whose career took precedence over family life. Eugenia’s early years were marked by instability, as her parents’ frequent tours left her in the care of her grandparents, who provided a stable and devout Catholic environment. She saw her parents only during brief intervals between their performances, a situation that fostered a sense of loneliness but also deepened her reliance on faith.
Tragedy struck when Giuseppe mysteriously disappeared during a tour in the United States, leaving Adelaide to return alone to Milan. Eugenia, then a young girl, was led to believe her father had died, though later accounts suggest he may have abandoned his family for another woman. Adelaide, a lapsed Christian with a frivolous lifestyle, brought Eugenia to live with her and her new partner, Basilio Recalcati, with whom she had three children. This household was morally corrupt, and Eugenia faced significant challenges, including harassment from her mother’s partner. She later recalled this period as one of “dangers and occasions at home and outside,” highlighting the spiritual and emotional trials she endured.
Despite this troubled environment, Eugenia found solace in prayer. Each day, driven by an “instinctive” force, she visited the Basilica of Saint Ambrose in Milan, where she prayed in silence, seeking God’s guidance. This practice sustained her faith and planted the seeds of her vocation, as she developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist and a desire for holiness.
In May 1886, at the age of 18, Eugenia experienced a profound spiritual awakening, feeling a call to sanctity that she described as a desire to “seek Jesus and be holy.” This moment marked a turning point, prompting her to pursue a religious vocation. At 20, in 1887, she confided her aspirations to the Ursuline Sisters in Milan, who recognized her sincerity and connected her with Venerable Agostino Chieppi, founder of the Congregation of the Little Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Fleeing her dysfunctional home on August 31, 1887, Eugenia was warmly welcomed by Chieppi, who saw her potential for religious life.
On August 26, 1888, Eugenia began her novitiate in Parma, Italy, adopting the religious name Maria Angela. She made her first profession on June 10, 1891, in Chieppi’s presence, and her solemn profession on June 1, 1894. Her entry into the congregation marked a new chapter, as she embraced a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience, finding the stability and purpose she lacked in her childhood.
Eugenia’s talents and dedication quickly led to significant responsibilities within the Little Daughters of the Sacred Hearts. She served as novice mistress, guiding young women in their formation, archivist, preserving the congregation’s records, general secretary, managing administrative duties, and a member of the council, advising on community matters. In June 1911, at the age of 43, she was elected Superior General, a role she held until her death in 1921. As Superior General, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, balancing spiritual guidance with practical governance, especially during the challenging years of World War I (1914–1918).
Her tenure as Superior General was marked by a commitment to the congregation’s mission of serving the poor and educating young women. She expanded the order’s outreach, establishing convents and schools, and emphasized the spiritual and cultural formation of her sisters. Eugenia’s life motto—“Suffer, be silent, love”—reflected her approach to leadership, as she faced personal and communal challenges with grace and humility. During the war, she opened the congregation’s resources to the needy, providing aid to soldiers, refugees, and the poor, earning her the reputation of a “mother to all.”
Throughout her adult life, Eugenia suffered from a degenerative bone disease, likely tuberculosis of the bone, which caused chronic pain and mobility issues. This condition worsened over time, requiring her to use a wheelchair by her late 40s. In 1919, her right leg was amputated due to the disease’s progression, a procedure she endured with remarkable courage, offering her suffering to God for the salvation of souls. Despite her physical limitations, she continued her duties as Superior General, traveling to visit convents and inspiring her sisters with her resilience.
Her health struggles were not merely physical; they were a spiritual crucible. Eugenia’s devotion to the Eucharist sustained her through pain, as she saw her suffering as a participation in Christ’s passion. Her letters and writings reveal a deep trust in God’s will, even as she faced increasing frailty. This acceptance of suffering, combined with her active charity, made her a powerful witness to the Gospel.
Eugenia’s ministry was deeply rooted in her love for the Eucharist, which she described as the “Bread of life, broken for all.” She likened her own life to bread—common, approachable, humble, and hidden—reflecting her desire to be accessible to all, especially the poor and marginalized. As Superior General, she focused on educating young women, particularly those in boarding schools run by the congregation, and providing spiritual and material support to the disadvantaged. Her work during World War I included organizing relief efforts, such as food distribution and care for the wounded, demonstrating her commitment to Christ’s call to serve “the least of these.”
Her spiritual writings emphasize simplicity, charity, and surrender to God’s will. She encouraged her sisters to live with joy and fidelity, even in adversity, and her personal example of enduring pain with serenity inspired those around her. Eugenia’s leadership transformed the Little Daughters of the Sacred Hearts into a dynamic force for evangelization and charity in Italy.
On September 7, 1921, Eugenia died in Parma, Italy, at the age of 53, succumbing to the effects of her bone disease, compounded by tuberculosis. Her death was peaceful, surrounded by her sisters, who revered her as a model of piety, zeal, prudence, and sacrifice. Her reputation for holiness spread quickly, and the congregation preserved her legacy through stories of her charity and suffering.
The cause for her beatification began in the Archdiocese of Parma, gathering testimonies of her virtuous life and miracles attributed to her intercession. On December 20, 1999, Pope John Paul II declared her Venerable, recognizing her heroic virtues. A miracle attributed to her intercession—the healing of Camillo Talubingi Kingombe on August 25, 1992, in the diocese of Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo—was approved, paving the way for her beatification. On October 7, 2001, Pope John Paul II beatified Eugenia in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, affirming her sanctity and martyrdom of spirit through her lifelong suffering.
Eugenia is venerated on September 7, her feast day, particularly in Parma and Milan, where she is remembered as a patron of religious women, the poor, and those suffering from chronic illness. Her relics are preserved in the motherhouse of the Little Daughters of the Sacred Hearts in Parma, and her legacy continues to inspire the congregation’s mission.
O God, who called Blessed Eugenia Picco to a life of suffering and service, grant us, through her intercession, the grace to embrace our crosses with love and to serve others with humility. May her Eucharistic devotion inspire us to live for You alone. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
%20Virgin%20and%20Martyr.jpeg)