Magdalena Morano (1847–1908)

Biography

When she decided to consecrate her life to God, she visited Don Bosco who persuaded her not to go to the cloistered life, and directed her to the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of which she co-founded with Saint Mary D. Mazzarello. In 1881, she was sent as director of the community in Trecastagni, Catania and her apostolic activity gave life in a short time to courageous initiatives in the field of catechesis, the instruction and educational assistance of young women, and the promotion of the most disadvantaged classes. Over the course of 26 years, institutes, schools, parish centers, associations and boarding schools flourished in various parts of the island: some 20 houses animated by his mature personality and evangelically open to any expression of good, always sustained by a continuous union with God and by an ardent desire for holiness. She died on March 26, 1908 and was beatified by John Paul II on November 5, 1944, in Catania, on the occasion of his pastoral visit to that archdiocese.