Saint Maria Cristina Dellimmacolata Concezione

Biography

Saint Maria Cristina Dellimmacolata Concezione, also known as Adelaide Brando, was born on 1 May 1856 in Naples, Italy. She was the daughter of Giovanni Giuseppe and Maria Concetta Marrazzo. Unfortunately, her mother passed away when Adelaide was only a few days old, leaving her to be raised by her father. From a young age, Adelaide felt a strong calling to religious life. She was educated at home and attended Mass daily. At the age of twelve, she made a personal vow of chastity. Adelaide's desire to enter a religious community led her to attempt to join the monastery of the Sacramentine Nuns in Naples. However, her father prevented her from doing so. Despite this setback, Adelaide did not give up on her calling. Eventually, she gained her father's approval to enter the Poor Clare monastery at Fiorentine, Italy. However, her health took a turn for the worse, and she had to return home to recover. Once she regained her strength, Adelaide went back to Naples and joined the Sacramentine Nuns, as she had initially desired. In 1876, she made her vows and assumed the name Sister Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception. Unfortunately, Sister Maria Cristina's health continued to deteriorate, and she was forced to return home once again. These setbacks made her see it as a sign from God. In 1878, while renting a room with the Teresiane Sisters of Torre del Greco, she founded the group that would later become known as the Congregation of the Sisters, Expiatory Victims of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. They received papal approval on 20 July 1903. Despite facing financial challenges and struggling with her own health, Sister Maria Cristina's Congregation quickly grew with the help of Venerable Michelangelo of Marigliano and Blessed Ludovico of Casoria. The Congregation eventually settled in Casoria, where Maria served as the superior general. Saint Maria Cristina was noted for her strong prayer life and devotion to the birth and Passion of Christ, as well as her deep reverence for the Eucharist. She dedicated herself to serving the Lord and spent her nights sleeping in a chair in a small grotto near the exposed Host, so that she could rest close to the presence of Jesus. Her holiness and selfless dedication inspired many, and after her death on 20 January 1906 in Casoria, Naples, Italy, of natural causes, her reputation for sanctity continued to grow. She was venerated on 2 July 1994 by Pope John Paul II with a decree of heroic virtues. Later, on 27 April 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified her. Finally, on 17 May 2015, Pope Francis canonized Saint Maria Cristina Dellimmacolata Concezione, recognizing her as a saint of the Catholic Church. Although she does not have a specific patronage assigned to her, Saint Maria Cristina's life serves as an example of unwavering faith and dedication to God. Her story inspires individuals to persevere in the face of adversity and to deepen their devotion to the Eucharist.