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9th March 1502
21st May 1565 Contemplative,
and devoted to good deeds, she dedicated her life and her good works,
to the
glorification of God, and, to the service of the poor and the humble. “ Venerated
by the common people as a saint, who attributated to her miracles and
favours
granted, she was sought after by the mighty as an advisor, and she left
behind
her a fragrance of heroic sainthood”
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PRAYER Animated by
a true and living faith, she reawoke this faith in mankind during her
lifetime,
by the use of the word of God,and her way of life. Upheld by
the gift of hope, she was strong and constant in her suffering, and in
the
trials of life during a period of great difficulties. Inflamed
by a burning sense of charity, she
transmitted this sentiment in her good works,and, to her co sisters in
the
religious order founded by her, to help
the children of the poor, the sick, and those stricken by the plague. For her merits, and for her intersection, we
pray to you, to grant us the favours we humbly implore in your mercy. Amen. Imprimatur |
Margherita Antoniazzi was born on 9th March 1502 in Cantiga of Costageminiana, which now forms part of the council of Bardi, diocese of Piacenza. Her parents were Carlo Antionazzi, known as Carlotti, and Bartolemea Merizzi, who earned their living working the land. She had a sister, Antonina, who married a member of the Bracchi family, of Santa Giustina in the Val Lecca. She also had a brother Luchino, who worked the small family holding. She lost her father at the age of twelve, and was sent to work as a shepherdess, firstly at Cabianca near Varese Ligure, and later to Sarizzuola, (which was not too far from her home) to the family of Sabbadino Strinati. She began during this period to notice that around her, there were many people who found themselves in a worst condition than her, and were forced to go far from home to earn a piece of bread, and so, she began giving away most of her daily food rations, to the needy she met. . At Sarizzuola she began to go into a type of trance, and these facts were reported, during the process for Beatification. During these trances she saw the Virgin Mary, who was dressed in white, and from whom she learnt to recite the Passion of Christ, the Our Father, and the Hail Mary. Margherita learnt all of these prayers even though she was unable to read or write. Due to these visions her spirit of penitence was heightened, and she began to recite the rosary continuously. When she allowed herself short periods of sleep, she would do so either directly on the ground, or, on bundles of thorn branches. The Plague
of 1524, and the Cave at the Rondinara
During this period a tremendous calamity befell Bardi, and the whole territory of Piacenza. The horrible scourge of the Plague, had caused 100,000 deaths in the region of Milan, and 8,000 in the city of Piacenza alone. Margherita returned home, but was soon struck down by the plague. The same fate awaited her mother, who, already weakened by the state of poverty in which she lived, was unable to fight the disease, and died, while being assisted lovingly by her daughter Margherita, who at this stage was 22 years old. Not wanting to infect her family, or to be a burden for them, she withdrew to a cave in the locality called the Rondinara. This cave could be found above a precipice that rose high on the left side of the river Ceno. The course of this atrocious illness did not stop her from continuously reciting the rosary, but even though she was in pain, she never lost her faith, or her trust in God. She was never alone, the Virgin Mary, and St Rocco were always by her side. In fact, she felt that it had been St. Rocco who had cured her from the cruel disease. Although cured, she remained lame for the rest of her life, due to the bubonic sores that had manifested themselves in her right groin. As soon as she regained her forces, she began leaving the cave to visit the church at Costageminiana, where one day, while crying and imploring the end of the plague,kneeling in front of a painting of Our Lady, to the astonishment of all present the painting began to cry real tears. The other outings from the cave were to visit the houses of other people who were suffering from this terrible disease. Margherita visited Menino Diino of Costa Ghinotti, of the parish of Montereggio, who, along with his family, had been infected by the disease, and one day while Margherita was praying for them, they suddenly began to recover, and after a short time were cured. Today in the church of the Annunciata, you can still see, and admire, the original statue of St Rocca that the Devota had sculptured, after being given 40 scudi by Menino in sign of gratitude. The Church of the
Annunciata,and the Monastry. The church that Margherita built in honour of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was a result of a mystic experience. From the transcription of the trial for Beatification, it transpires that it was the Virgin Mary in person, who asked her to erect a temple in her honour. She assured Margherita of her help in overcoming the difficulties, that that she would encounter. The problems did not take long in arriving. Her fellow townsmen helped to shield her from the parish priest, who did not take kindly to the idea of another church being built so close to the parish church at Costageminiana. In fact he appealed to Count Landi, the patron of Bardi, to prevent this construction. Margherita was not deterred, and she continued on her path with great faith and courage. Her response to Count Landi was humble but firm, if he did not change his mind, and give permission for the construction of the church, it would be built on Monte Lama out of his jurisdiction. Her simple, but inspired words had a positive effect on him, and Agostino Landi quickly changed attitude, and he began to encourage Margherita to continue with her project. He even offered to give her part of the materials needed, door posts, timber, and stones which had been salvaged from the Fortress of Pietra Cervara that had been recently knocked down. The building of the monastic complex began in 1525, and
was probably
completed in 1531. The church was
consecrated on 21st May 1533, and the monastery was ready to
be
occupied by a small autonomous religious community.
There was even a water tank that, to this day still gives
excellent water, the well was dug on instructions from Margherita, who
insisted
on its position, even against the opinion of many experts. The small
monastic community
The 21st May 1533, was also the day that Margherita entered the Monastry , with her first co-sister, Catella Capiani. Soon after Maria Bracchi the Devota’s niece,also entered to form part of the community. Maria was the daughter of Margherita’s sister Antonina. There followed Domeneghina Ghioni known as the Tornola, who was to become their cook, and Angelina Antoniazzi. Others joined this group of women, but their names were never recorded, however their number never exceeded ten. The small community did not have particular rules, but followed the advice, and the example of their founder. The co-sisters wore a frock that arrived to their feet, over this they used to put a tunic without sleeves, and a white veil covered their heads. They took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, conducting a life of penitence, and Christian virtue. From the numerous visits made on behalf of the Bishop, we know that they often fasted, and that their day was divided into periods where they used to do their daily chores, helping the needy, and frequent prayers.
The
Personality of the Devota. Margherita was small and minute, with the face of an angel. She was physically attractive, and walked with a limp, and because of this disability needed the help of a walking stick. She had a sweet, and amiable nature, and treated everyone with respect. She would loving caress the children, and would put in crisis, any ill intentioned person, with her kindness. She had however a strong willed character which lead her to never retreat in front of difficulties. She would pass the major part of her day, and night in pray, and it is for this reason, that those who knew her called her “The Devota”. She dedicated very little time to sleep, always sleeping either on the ground, or, on thorn branches. She lived a virtuous life, and was an example to all. However it was for the poor, and those who were suffering, that she reached levels of immeasurable of charity. From 1536 to 1565, thousands of poor passed through her door, but nobody went away without receiving spiritual, or material help, and they always went away with words of comfort. Her sensitivity towards the gift of life, made her more aware of the needs of pregnant women, and newly born babies. She would rip sheets to make nappies, and wraps for the newly born. She would empty the food cupboards to feed them, and would loving attend them. She asked her co-sisters to abandon the idea of a closed community, and asked them to go out of the Monastry to visit, and assist the needy. Loved by the poor and sought
after by the powerful. For over thirty years the church of the Annunciation, and the Monastry at Costageminiana, were the destination for an unbroken chain of pilgrims. They came from all over the territory, not only from the valley’s of Ceno and Taro, but from as far a field as Varese Ligure, Santo Stefano d’Aveto, Riva di Ponte dell’Olio, Vigoleno. They came to implore to be remembered in her prayers, and Margherita never turned them away. Many were cured both physically, and spiritually. This was confermed by the numerous testimonies of those who saw the number of ex voto (plaques to say thank you) on the church walls during Margherita’s lifetime. These miraculous healing caused great interest, and amongst the miracles we find, Marco Antonio Nasalli of Varese, Lucia a young woman from Vigoleno, and three young deaf and dumb boys from Santo Stefano d’ Aveto, whose names unfortunately were never passed down. Not only the poor would visit, and ask for help from the Devota, Count Agostino Landi, the patron of Bardi was also a follower of the Devota, and asked to be remembered in her prayers. His wife donna Giovanna, asked Margherita to come to the bedside of her daughter, donna Guilia, who was gravely ill. After receiving the blessing of the Devota, the girl recovered. Two other children of Count Landi were taken to Costageminiana, to receive the blessing of the Devota, before undertaking a voyage to Spain.
Ahead of her time, she was not
understood
In those days it was unheard of, to have any form of female institute, that was not a closed monastic order, completely dedicated to the service of God. The Devota’s unselfish, and courageous service to her brothers and sisters, was therefore not understood. The clergy who visited her were strongly impressed by the holy life of the Devota, who was dedicated to pray, Christian virtues, and penitence, but above all for her works of charity. They were however, perplexed by the way she carried out these tasks, by putting fragile women in contact with all types of human beings, even with beggars, adventurers, and thieves. The clergy feared, that the desire, to help the poor was not enough to safeguard them in a violent society. They preferred the safety that was guaranteed by the high walls of the various monastries, which in reality did not result any safer. During this period in time, the female figure was relegated to live and work within the domestic walls, but Margherita realised that the society, and the church needed a female presence, to help resolve the material, and spiritual problems, that were the basis of the malaise, of the 1500’s The maternal instincts that are in every woman, was according to Margherita, the basis, to be used to help defend life in its earliest stages. It is not therefore, surprising that the most important miracles performed, after her intersession, were in favour of infants, and young children. The first school for the poor in the diocese of Piacenza Margherita lived in a time when religion had reached its lowest ebb. The Christian way of life, was slowly changing, and was beginning to follow the teachings of various saints including those of Saint Filippo Neri. In order to help its people when they most needed it was necessary to use, human contact. Perhaps the greatest, and most important thing that Margherita achieved was to realise, the need to educate the young. She realised that without learning to read, or write, they would never be able to change their lives. She resolved this problem, opening the first free mountain school in the diocese of Piacenza. This action was all the more remarkable, because Margherite unlike the saints who went before her, was illiterate, and had never moved in the more liberal circles of society. From the records, we read that the school had two teachers, sister Maria Bracchi, Margherita’s niece, and sister Margherita Marcellina from Tornolo. Not everyone understood the changes made by Margherita, and the religious order was transferred from Costageminiana to Compiano in 1599. Even the witnesses at the process for Beatification, felt that the miracles were of better use for Margherita’s cause, and barely mentioned the starting of the school at Costageminiana. Today,
Margherita is still in the hearts of the people
of the valleys
The Devota died on 21st May 1565, grieved by all. The number of people that attended her funeral, was something never seen before. It was a time of great difficulty for Christianity, but the Devota had been a shining light of hope for the church of Piacenza. “Venerated by the common people as a saint, who attributated to her miracles and favours granted, she was sought after by the mighty as an advisor, and she left behind her a fragrance of heroic sainthood”. On 5th January 1618, Bishop Claudio Rangoni, opened the cause for Beatifcation. Due to his death the cause was stopped, but restarted by his successor Mons. Giovanni Linati on 19th August 1620. To this day, the memory of the Devota is alive in the people of the mountains. Invoked by many in their prayers for her intersession, to this day many cases of cures have been recorded. For this reason, a committee has been formed to ask, that the cause for Beatification be reopened. |