Dear Brothers and Sisters, today we are gathered to celebrate the feast of Saint Maria De Mattias (born February 4, 1805), the visionary Foundress of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Her life is a profound testimony of how a single heart,
inflamed by the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, can transform an entire society.
I. The Vision: Love Poured Out
Saint Maria De Mattias lived during a period of great civil unrest and banditry in Italy, yet her heart was not captured by the violence of the world, but by the redeeming love of Christ. At the age of sixteen, she had a mystical vision of the Most Precious Blood, realizing that every drop was a testimony to God's infinite love for humanity, and that every human person has been purchased by the Blood of Christ and therefore has infinite dignity, that is, every human life is sacred.
II. The Mission: Proclaiming “Dear Neighbor”
Mary's holiness was active and tireless. She did not just wait for people to come to her; she went to them. She founded nearly 70 schools, focusing on poor girls who were often invisible to society. Even today, her Congregation is committed to serving the marginalized. The Village of Hope in Tanzania is one example. It is an orphanage for children infected with HIV (150 guests each year).
Inspired by the preaching of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, she understood that the Blood of Christ was not just a theological concept, but a living reality of redeeming love and reconciliation. Driven by an inner fire to serve others, she taught herself to read and write, and began to preach to everyone.
III. In conclusion, I leave you with the main points to remember that spring from the spiritual life of Saint Maria De Mattias:
Respect: see the dignity in every person, especially in the invisible (the marginalized).
Responsibility: take concrete action to build a better world.
Passion: make evangelical choices with enthusiasm and love.
Patience: wait trustingly for God's timing.
Compassion: share the wounds and sufferings of others.
Listening: encountering God and others deeply through silence.
Benevolence: countering indifference with gentleness.
Saint Maria De Mattias taught that love for God must be lived through radical service to one's neighbor, particularly through the education of women and the care of those who are marginalized.
Best wishes to all.