“Tue Education is that of the heart, without which there is no successful personality formation and maturity”

Blessed Brigida Morello of Jesus, Foundress of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate, lived in the seventeenth century, in Piacenza, Italy. Born in a deeply pious family, Brigida grew up and bloomed in an atmosphere of religious virtues and prayer.

“Love of God and neighbour” was her motto. For the realization of this, her ideal, she began her life of dedication and service in 1674 with the specific aim of educating young girls.

The Family of Brigida

Brigida was born in the little sea-side town of Rapallo which was part of the noble city of Genova Rappallo. Her parents were Nicolo Morello and Lavinia Borzese, both were Nicolo Morello and Lavinia Borzene, both noted for their goodness and prudence and capable of governing the family well. They enjoyed the respect and esteem of the town –people and had good financial standing. But they suffered a considerable set back due to some misfortune as often happens and had to live through days of hardship and want. They had 11 children: three boys and eight girls of whom Brigida wads the sixth in the order of birth- the central figure, not only in the natural order but much more in the supernatural order of divine prediction and gifts of grace.

The Birth of Brigida

She was born on 10th June 1610 on the day which, that year happened to be the Octave of the feast of ‘Corpus Domini’ in the parish of St. Michael, not far from Rapallo. The birth was not accompanied by the usual labor pain and the mother did not even need the assistance of a mid-wife. In fact, she had gone to the Eucharistic procession and returning home had hardly changed her clothes. This was believed to be very providential l in the given circumstances as there was only a single mid-wife in the whole parish and she could not be called for this delivery .

Desire for sanctity

The children of the Nicolo family often wet their paternal grand-uncle and aunt who had holiday villa in St. Michael’s . This couple, having no children of their own, entertained on their home. Brigida was their favorite. The children affectionately called them grand-father and grand –mother. The good old man was very pious and devoted and enjoyed reading the lives of saints which Brigida listened to eagerly. Even at that tender age she understood that to become a saint was a beautiful thing and this roused in her a desire for sanctity beyond her age, as though the Lord was anticipating His action in her with special enlightenment and often happens with those who are destined to be models of sanctity.

Her great desire for sanctity right from her childhood, the vision she had at the age of four of the beauty of heaven and the transitory of this world, her love for the poor, zeal for souls, eagerness to practice every virtue, the great desire to become a nun and a saint etc. singled her out as an extra-ordinary child.

The Foundation

Greatly favored by grace from her early childhood, she possessed in a high degree the gifts of contemplation, prophecy and of miracles. Bridgit Morello, a name that has occupied a place in history. She was a mystic of the 17th century, endowed with special gifts of mystical union with God . At that time women hardly had any place in society. But this lady of vision overcame obstacles of all types. Petty wars and Industrial revolts had played havoc, creating instability in families. Women and children were the worst affected. Brigit could not be blind to the need of the hour. Responding to the call with six other ladies, Brigida dedicated herself to the cause of the education of the young girls. Thus was born the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate (UMI), at Piacenza, Italy on February 17th 1649.

The death of Mother Brigida

The Lord revealed her that within three months her earthly pilgrimage would be ended and this increased her spiritual joy as proportionately increased her physical suffering. The Lord also told her that she would have yet to suffer much and from then on new pains were added to her each day so that within these months she had reached the points of death many times.

Heaven found Mother ready for it and so the prayers of her daughters went unheeded. So after a steadily increasing agony that lasted the whole night, with the confessor and her daughters by her bed-side praying and recommending her soul to God, she smiling at the crucifix, breathed forth her soul to god at 3.a.m. on Sunday the 3rd September 1679 amidst the tears of her daughters. She was sixty nine years old at her death.

She was beatified on 15th March 1998 by Pope JOHN PAUL II

Blessed Brigida loved Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God, with tenderness. She venerated Her and instilled in her daughters the truth that Mary is the most faithful follower of Her Son, Jesus. Loving and imitating Her, is the shortest way to holiness. (Ad Jesum per Maria – to Jesus through Mary) Constant union with God would be possible by devotion to the Eucharist, to the Word of God, wholly abandoned to His Providence. Such was the spirituality of Brigida who, with filial devotion, could exclaim: “Confidence, Confidence! A large heart! God is a Father and He will never abandon us!”.