ST. MARIA BERTILLA BOSCARDIN | KAIROS GLOBAL | APRIL 2020

Born: 6 October 1888

Died:  20 October 1922

Feast: 20 October

Author: Ann-Christy John

St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin was born Anna Francesca Boscardin in Italy, on 6 October 1888. Anna, also called Annette, was born to a family of poor farmers. Her father was a violent alcoholic and Annette grew up very shy and awkward, afraid of her father and clinging to her mother. 

She struggled academically, failed classes and was often ridiculed.  Having to work in the fields and around the house also meant that her schooling was irregular. After a local priest called her a ‘goose’, the insulting nickname stuck and she was mocked for her slowness throughout her childhood and adult life. However, little Annette’s faith was incredibly strong. She would walk daily to the village Church to pray and during her beatification process, her father testified that even as a child, she would kneel down in prayer in a corner of their home and seeing this, he would also feel an urge to pray. 

Although derided for her slowness, she did not seem bothered by the bullying she experienced from her peers, but rather seemed to accept her inability. Her sanctity must have been very visible though, as her parish priest allowed her to receive Holy Communion early at the age of eight rather than eleven as was the custom at the time. The same priest gave her a Catechism to be kept with her and studied, and this was found worn out, in the pocket of her habit, when she died.

Her great desire to be consecrated to God was fulfilled when she was allowed to join the Sisters of St. Dorothy.  Here she was sent to work in the kitchen, peeling potatoes. At the end of her first year as a novice, she was sent to a hospital but there too, she spent her first year in the kitchen as she was not deemed capable to do anything else. Reluctantly and out of desperation, the Mother Superior put Sr. Bertilla in charge of a ward of children with diphtheria, starting Sr. Bertilla’s journey as a nurse. Here she bloomed, losing her shyness and awkwardness and became a strong mother to all the children under her care as well as the young doctors there. Many who interacted with her have given accounts of her untiring spirit and desire to serve – going many nights without sleep but always cheerfully at everyone’s service. She took on patients who no one else wanted to attend to and served fearlessly during the air raids and bombings during World War I. 

Whatever task she was given, she did joyfully, knowing that she was serving God and not man. Although constantly undermined and humiliated, she suffered all saying “My Jesus, I implore you through your Holy Wounds that I may die a thousand times rather than permit that I do a single action in order to be noticed!” Her humility, simplicity and unwavering trust in God all through her life and joyfulness even at the moment of death touched the lives of many around her. 

She died on the 20 October 1922 at the young age of 34 after suffering for many years from a painful tumour. 

Quick Facts 

1888 – Born in Brendola, Italy 

1904 – Joined the Sisters of St. Dorothy 

1922 – Died after suffering many years with a tumour 

1961 – Canonized by Pope John XXIII