BLESSED LUIGI QUATTROCCHI AND MARIA CORSINI | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2024

Author: Jisha John

Dearest Jesus,

What’s up? It is the new year here, a time for new beginnings. And for me, I am ready for a life-partner. You know, Lord, I badly need a bundle of trust to move on. 

I have started day-dreaming about him, beginning to believe that there is someone just for me. Someone for whom I’d be the right one. I always thought I’d be single, nothing could attract me to the vocation of marriage. None could influence me. But today, at this moment, I feel I need someone. No, not someone. I have choices. Let me write. And I will tell you what led me to this turnaround in my decision.

I happened to learn about Blessed Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini. I just fell in love with the couple. How beautiful is Catholic marriage! It is more than what I cherish on telly screens. It is really worth living. Late realisation! 

Luigi was born in Catania in 1880 to Carlo and Francesca. He was adopted by his childless aunt and uncle. Though he lived with them, he had an intimate fellowship with his parents. When he grew up, he became a lawyer. Maria was born in Florence in 1884 to a noble family. She had an excellent education right from childhood. She was ardent in her faith and staunch in practising it. She recited daily prayers, attended Holy Mass and received the Communion every day. Maria became an educationist and lecturer. Moreover, both were handpicked by You, my Jesus.

The two met at Maria’s house in Florence. They were married on November 25, 1905 in the Cappella Corsini in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome. They might have liked each other much. I don’t think it was someone else’s decision for them to marry. The couple had three children. After a few years, Maria was pregnant for the fourth time. She was diagnosed with placenta previa pregnancy, a life-threatening condition for the mother and the child. The couple were asked to abort the baby. The doctor told Luigi that he would struggle to bring up the kids without their mother. But the couple prayed and trusted in God’s protection. You saved them. Maria and the kid survived and the latter lived to be ninety-eight years. 

Luigi was not a strong practitioner of faith at first. His wife influenced him deeply. They were an ordinary couple. But together they made an extraordinary life. I see life is more beautiful when you have the right partner. As the Scriptures say, two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. The family could do many things together. When I consider it, the chances of living a holy life is n times more in marriage.

The couple exercised great virtues. They just didn’t live for themselves. They were among the founders of many organisations. They began ASCI, the Italian Scout association and Azione Cattolica, the biggest lay organisation in Italy. They started accompanying the sick on pilgrimages, especially to Lourdes. The foundation was named UNITALSI. Maria and Luigi were also Third Order Franciscans. Their house was always open for refugees during wartime. They protected the wounded, sheltered fugitives, the Jewish and everyone in danger. They risked their lives for others. Their hands saved nearly 150 people in their home itself. Maria worked for the Red Cross. She wrote books on family, education, religion and parenting. Their busy life of service didn’t steal their time together. They prayed the family Rosary and were constant visitors for adoration. They attended daily Mass together. Three of their kids became a priest, nun and a monk respectively. The fourth one stayed single, lived her life serving others. She is now a candidate for canonisation for her outstanding kindness and acts of love.

Luigi died of a heart attack. Maria passed away few years later, both having peaceful deaths. The Church has named them Blessed and they are celebrated on their wedding day, November 25. What a life! 

My Jesus, this has changed my decision. I see the innumerable chances of exploring life together. It doesn’t have limits when you are chummed up with the perfect match. It brings you a world of opportunities. I wish to quote the comments of Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martin about Maria and Luigi, ‘they made their family an authentic domestic church, open to life, prayer, witness of the Gospel, the social apostolate, solidarity with the poor, and friendship... Intimately united in love and Christian ideals, they walked together on the path of holiness.’

Yes, the chances are more. There’s more room for holiness in Holy Matrimony. 

Send me mine. Help us traverse together.

With love,

Your

Estha Martin