Maria de Mattias (1805–1866)

Biography

Italian religious, María de Mattias promoted the dignity of women and social reconciliation inspired by the Blood of Christ shed for love. He grew up in Vallecorsa during years marked by the violence of banditry and understood the contrast between the blood shed out of hatred and the redeeming blood of Jesus. Guided by Saint Gaspar del Bufalo and the venerable Juan Merlini, she founded the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in 1834. She opened schools, catechized women and children, preached retreats and formed communities in various places, convinced that a renewed society had to begin with reconciled hearts.