Spiritual Portrait of St. Mary Mazzarello

Spiritual Portrait of St. Mary Mazzarello

by Fr. Morand Wirth, SDB

Normally, May 13 is celebrated as the feast of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello (1837-1881), co-foundress (with Don Bosco) of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMAs), better known as the Salesian Sisters.  Since the 13th is Sunday this year, the feast doesn’t get observed by most of the Salesian Family.  But the sisters, for whom it’s a solemnity (not merely a feast), will observe the transferred celebration on the 15th. 

This selection comes from Don Bosco and the Salesians, trans. David de Burgh, SDB (New Rochelle: Don Bosco Publications, 1982), p. 159, slightly edited.

Mother Mazzarello (front and center) with FMAs leaving for the missions, 1879. (ANS)

Forthright in temperament but reserved in manner, Mary Mazzarello possessed ardent faith, fortitude, and a great good judgment in spite of her very limited education; she was a woman of the fields with a natural dignity that commanded respect. Although according to Pius IX she knew how to rule, it was easy to obey her, because, as one Sister said, “she exercised the office of superior like a true mother with genuine concern and without pretense. Firm as well as persuasive, she was obeyed by all without resentment.”

Since early childhood her love of God had developed into a profound spirituality which found expression in working for Him. “Let every stitch be an act for the love of God,” the young seamstress had told her friend at the start of their workshop. With the passing of time her piety became more and more Eucharistic and Marian.

Later, on becoming superior, she remained free of vanity and pride to the point of requesting that someone “more educated and capable” take her place. She never forgot her humble origin and willingly shared the menial tasks, losing herself in her search for God.

Mother Mazzarello’s charity came from the heart, as she strove to be of service of all. “Concerned about everybody, she cared for each one of us as if there were no one else in the Institute!” Her fine tact was well known; it came from her sensitivity and great respect for others, which, in turn, sprang from her own purity.

The aura of sanctity which surrounded her was neither artificial nor mechanical, and it remained always within the limits of Salesian dignity and moderation. The Magnificat exalts this virtue of the humble.

Mary Domenica Mazzarello died on May 14, 1881, at the age of 44. She was beatified by Pius XI on November 30, 1938, and canonized by Pius XII on June 24, 1951. In the meantime, that small group of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians has developed into the largest congregation of women religious in the Church.