In her mid-teens, Maria was preoccupied with her appearance, particularly her long blonde hair, spending hours before a mirror. However, at around 16 or 17, a mystical vision shifted her focus inward, sparking a spiritual awakening. Through dialogues with her father, who read Scripture to her, Maria developed a deep love for Jesus, particularly as the sacrificial Lamb. This period of introspection culminated in 1822 when St. Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, preached a mission in Vallecorsa. Inspired by his message of devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, Maria resolved to dedicate her life to God’s service, caring for the needy and spreading the Gospel.
In 1834, at age 29, Maria, guided by Venerable Giovanni Merlini, a companion of St. Gaspar, founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Acuto, Italy. Called by Bishop Giuseppe Maria Lais of Anagni to teach young girls, Maria expanded her mission beyond education, catechizing women and boys and preaching reform through the lens of Christ’s self-sacrificial love. Her devotion to the Precious Blood, inspired by del Bufalo’s preaching, became the cornerstone of the congregation, which was established as an apostolic rather than monastic order, emphasizing active service.
The Adorers adopted a distinctive symbol—a gold heart with three drops of blood—presented to Maria by Merlini upon her public vow of chastity. In 1855, the congregation received papal approval, solidifying its mission. Maria’s preaching, rare for a woman of her time, drew diverse crowds, including women, men, soldiers, and priests. Her passionate sermons, often lasting over an hour, emphasized personal transformation through God’s love, earning praise even from skeptical clergy, with one Jesuit noting she “spoke better than a priest.” By her death, the Adorers had established 70 schools, primarily in isolated towns, spreading education and faith.
Maria’s ministry was revolutionary, particularly in a society where women were rarely public figures. Despite social restrictions preventing her from directly addressing men, they gathered—sometimes secretly—to hear her teachings. Her sermons, rooted in the Precious Blood’s redemptive power, inspired conversions and societal reform. She also managed the San Luigi Hospice in Rome at the behest of Pope Pius IX, expanding the Adorers’ reach. Her work faced occasional clerical opposition but enjoyed strong lay support, reflecting her ability to connect with ordinary people.
Maria’s focus on education, particularly for women and children, challenged the norms of her time. Her schools provided literacy and catechesis, empowering communities and fostering spiritual growth. The Adorers’ presence grew to include Italy, Germany, England, and later Bolivia, Brazil, China, Guatemala, Liberia, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam, with nearly 2,000 sisters continuing her mission today.
In 1866, as disease ravaged Rome, Maria tirelessly cared for the sick at the Adorers’ motherhouse. On August 20, 1866, she died at age 61, likely from illness contracted during her service. Pope Pius IX arranged her burial in Rome’s Verano Cemetery, commissioning a bas-relief depicting Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones, symbolizing resurrection through Christ’s blood. Her remains were later transferred to the Precious Blood Chapel at the Adorers’ motherhouse in Rome.
The canonization process began in 1896 at the request of her successor, Caterina Pavoni. Maria was beatified by Pope Pius XII on October 1, 1950, and canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 18, 2003. Her feast day is celebrated on February 4, her birthday, rather than her death date, a rare exception reflecting the Adorers’ tradition of honoring her life. She is the patron saint of the Adorers, blood donors, and BolesΕawiec, Poland.
St. Maria De Mattias’s legacy endures through the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, who continue her mission of education, charity, and devotion to the Precious Blood. Her emphasis on Christ’s sacrificial love as a model for self-giving resonates in the congregation’s global outreach, with nearly 1,000 sisters in the U.S. alone. The motherhouse at Monte Oliveto Maggiore remains a pilgrimage site, and her relics in Rome’s Precious Blood Chapel inspire devotion.
In art, Maria is depicted in the Adorers’ habit, often with a heart and three drops of blood or teaching children, symbolizing her educational mission. Her life challenges gender norms of her era, showcasing a woman’s leadership in the Church. Her work during a time of political turmoil and banditry in Italy highlights her courage and faith, transforming communities through education and preaching.
St. Maria De Mattias’s life invites us to embrace Christ’s love as a transformative force. Her journey from vanity to sanctity, her bold preaching, and her care for the marginalized challenge us to live selflessly. Her devotion to the Precious Blood calls us to recognize the value of every soul redeemed by Christ. Let us pray to St. Maria for the grace to educate, serve, and proclaim God’s love with courage, aspiring to eternal life through sacrificial love.
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