Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri

Biography

Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri, also known as Sister Maria Angela, Henrietta Alfieri, Prisoner 3209, Mother of San Vittore, Angel of San Vittore, and La Mamma di San Vittore, was born on 23 February 1891 in Borgo Vercelli, Vercelli, Italy. From a young age, Enrichetta felt a calling to religious life and eventually joined the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joan Antida Thouret on 20 December 1911.

Initially working as a kindergarten teacher in Vercelli, her career was abruptly halted when she was diagnosed with Pott's disease, a form of tuberculosis of the spine, in 1917. Despite this setback, Enrichetta's faith remained steadfast, and she embarked on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in search of healing. Miraculously, on 25 February 1923, she was completely cured through the intercession of Mary Immaculate.

Inspired by her miraculous recovery, Enrichetta dedicated herself to the service of others and found her calling in prison ministry. On 24 May 1923, she was assigned to work in San Vittore Prison in Milan, Italy. Her compassionate and tireless efforts in aiding the prisoners quickly made her renowned and beloved. She became known as the Mother and Angel of San Vittore, and in 1939, she was appointed as the superior of the Sisters working there.

Tragically, during World War II, San Vittore Prison became an SS headquarters and a site of imprisonment for Jews, priests, nuns, and resistance workers. Amidst this era of great danger and suffering, Enrichetta and her fellow Sisters defied the risks to assist the prisoners. They clandestinely provided supplies, conveyed messages, and collaborated with Church authorities to advocate for the detainees, ultimately saving countless lives.

However, on 23 September 1944, a message intended for Enrichetta was intercepted, leading to her arrest on charges of espionage. Sentenced to either death or imprisonment in Germany, her dire situation rallied the support of Church officials, including Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster, the Archbishop of Milan. Through their intervention, she was transferred to the Sisters' house in Brescia, Italy, where she penned a memoir detailing her experiences during her wrongful imprisonment.

The end of the war brought freedom for Enrichetta. On 7 May 1945, she was reassigned to San Vittore Prison, where she continued her ministry, this time tending to prisoners of war, including former guards and jailers. Her unwavering dedication to compassion, forgiveness, and the transformative power of faith allowed her to extend her mercy even to those who had once been her oppressors.

Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri passed away on 23 November 1951 in Milan, Italy, of natural causes. Recognizing her exceptional virtues, Pope Benedict XVI declared her venerable on 19 December 2009. Her beatification followed on 26 June 2011, further honoring her selfless commitment to the imprisoned and oppressed. Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri's life serves as a reminder of the profound impact that one person's compassion and courage can have in the face of adversity.