Blessed Giuseppina Nicoli

Biography

Blessed Giuseppina Nicoli was born on 18 November 1863 in Casatisma, Pavia, Italy. She was the fifth child among ten siblings, born into a pious family.

Inspired by her faith and a desire to serve others, Giuseppina joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul on 24 September 1883, at the San Salvario house in Turin, Italy. After her formation, in 1885, she was assigned to the island of Sardegna, where she dedicated most of her life to ministering to the poor.

In June of 1899, Blessed Giuseppina became the director of the Sassari orphanage. Besides her responsibilities at the orphanage, she generously devoted her free time to teaching catechism to the poor, illiterate individuals, and the daughters of wealthy families who lacked religious education. She actively encouraged Eucharistic Adoration and supported the Associazione dei Figli di Maria (Association of the Sons of Mary). Moreover, she held the position of director of the Associazione delle Figlie di Maria (Association of the Daughters of Mary).

From 1910 to August 1914, Giuseppina was called back to Turin to serve as provincial administrator and later as director of the seminary. However, due to her extraordinary work in Sardegna, her superiors eventually granted her request to return. Despite the anti-clerical sentiment prevalent in the civil government, Giuseppina continued her mission with unwavering dedication. She even established a School of Religion for young people. During World War I, she transformed part of the building at the Marina Colony of the Poetto into a hospital for wounded soldiers, demonstrating her compassion and commitment to serving those in need.

Throughout her time on the island, Giuseppina tirelessly worked with a group known as the Monelli di Maria (Urchins of Mary), who were orphaned, homeless, abandoned, or estranged from their families. Despite the skepticism and disdain of many authorities who doubted their ability to be reformed, she imparted the love of God to these children. Giuseppina ensured they attended Mass, taught them catechism, basic literacy skills, and provided vocational training, equipping them with the necessary skills to turn away from a life on the streets.

On 31 December 1924, at 9 am, Giuseppina Nicoli passed away in Cagliari, Italy, due to bronchial pneumonia. Initially, her birth family wished to bury her next to her parents in Casatisma, Italy. However, the people of Cagliari fervently requested that she be laid to rest among them. Respectful of this sentiment, her family agreed, and her body was interred in the chapel at the Asilo della Marina in Cagliari in October 1932.

Blessed Giuseppina Nicoli's exemplary holiness and selfless dedication to the least fortunate were acknowledged by Pope Benedict XVI, who declared her venerable on 28 April 2006, recognizing her heroic virtues. On 3 February 2008, during a ceremony celebrated at the Square of the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria in Cagliari, Italy, she was formally beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. The beatification ceremony was presided over by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, honoring Giuseppina's inspiring life and her special place in the Catholic Church.