Vigils Reading – Blessed Maria Gabriella

FROM THE LETTERS OF BLESSED MARIA GABRIELLA

And her abbess Mother Maria Pia7 ◊◊◊

Letter One – Easter, 1939
Dearest Mamma, I write these lines to send you my last thoughts and my last

farewell. The Divine Bridegroom has renewed the invitation, and the longed-for day approaches. I do not say the day of my death, but the day when, loosed from the bands of this miserable flesh, I can finally move on from this life to the happy and blessed life of heaven. The separation from the body is not a death but a transition to real life. Rejoice, oh my Mother, because there will be no more enclosure, and I, although you will not see me, I will come and visit you and hug you so much, as my love for you grows more and more. Be at peace because up there I will be much more useful to you than I could be here; there I will see clearly all your needs, and I will intercede more with the Lord…

I wish indeed that the same day you receive the news, you will all go to Mass and Communion and pray for me and thank the Lord very much for the graces he has given me and for his predilections in my regard… I still recommend that you remain tranquil and happy in the Lord. Pray for me and commend me to the prayers of our relatives and acquaintances to whom I am sending with you my final greeting. One last time I ask everyone for forgiveness for any offenses that I may have caused. I embrace you tightly in the heart of Jesus, together with all the family.

Always your daughter, Sister Maria Gabriella ◊◊◊

Letter Two – Wednesday, April 26, 1939
Dear Mrs. Sagheddu, How much you must have waited for this letter from me!

With it comes the last letter written by your daughter, who wrote it according to my

advice, and she agreed that I would send it to you after her passage to the heavenly kingdom.

For Thursday the twentieth, Mother Maria Gabriella had a significant worsening. Already since Easter we were keeping vigil with her at night, even though she did not want to disturb us… Her body of twenty-five years and two months fought with strong resistance. But she was suffering with such docility and resignation. Consenting to acts of acceptance, love, and offering that we suggested to her, Saturday night seemed to be her last, but she was fully conscious. She asked with that small voice that was soon clear, “Communion, if possible, if possible.” It was brought to her again as Viaticum. She recovered a bit… But we remained all night, the nurse, two sisters, and I… and the Father Chaplain, who wanted to stay, despite his advanced age, not wishing to leave her without accompanying her to the last breath… That Saturday…all during the night she suffered greatly, indeed, like a lamb…

At half past five, very tranquilly, she ceased to breathe. She lowered her eyelids – as when she was unable to speak, to say, “Yes.” Then she raised her eyelids again. She was already with her Lord, whom she loved so much that she offered the sacrifice of her young life for the union of the separated churches. It was GoodShepherd Sunday, and the gospel spoke thus: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also.” Signora, cry pure tears: you are her Mother. But give thanks, give thanks to the Lord. Yesterday we had the burial ceremony… Now she rests in the tomb of the monastery, which is located under the presbytery, and her coffin is place just below the altar… I will send you a rosary that when she was sick, I put into her hands, saying that I would later send it to her mother. “Thank you,” she replied gratefully…

May Jesus bless you… Sister Maria Pia, o.c.r