Blessed
Blessed Assunta Marchetti
Religious, co-founder of the Suore Missionarie di San Carlo Borromeo, 1871-1948
Early life
Assunta Marchetti was born at Lombrici di Camaiore (Lucca) on 15 August 1871.[1] From her youth she longed for a life given entirely to God.[1] Household duties, her mother's illness and the early death of her father kept her from following that wish at once.[1]
Foundation
In 1895 she accepted the request of her brother, don Giuseppe Marchetti, to follow him to his mission in Brazil to care for the orphans of emigrants.[1] Together with her mother and two other young women she was presented to Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, and the Serve degli Orfani e Abbandonati were formed on 25 October 1895.[1]
Ministry
For her, Jesus was present in the poor, the orphans, the sick and the migrants.[1] She gave her youth to the little ones, becoming a mother to those who had been left orphans.[1] She wished to end her days in the company of the orphan children.[1]
Death and recognition
A serious wound to her leg, suffered during a visit to a sick person, caused her long years of suffering.[1] She died in the orphanage of San Paolo, in Brazil, on 1 July 1948.[1] She was beatified on 25 October 2014 by Pope Francis.[1]
Follow the evidence
Sources and notes
- Assunta Marchetti
Dicastery for the Causes of Saints · Italian
Accessed 2026-09-05
Editorial notes
Translated and condensed from the Dicastery's official Italian profile by an automated pass on 2026-09-09; identity matched on the death date and name; editorial review pending.
This is an AI-assisted draft prepared from the sources above. Its citations identify its evidence; they do not replace a historical review.
The inherited biography
The earlier biography for this record.
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Blessed Assunta Marchetti was born on August 15, 1871, in Lombrici di Camaiore, Lucca, Italy. She was one of eleven children and grew up in a devout Catholic family. From an early age, Assunta displayed a strong inclination towards religious life.
Assunta's vocation to serve God led her to join the Congregation of the Daughters of Saint Charles Borromeo. She became a nun and dedicated her life to serving others. Alongside Father Giuseppe Nascimbeni, Assunta co-founded the Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo, also known as the Scalabrinian Sisters. This religious congregation aimed to provide support and assistance to migrants, particularly Italians who were leaving their homeland for various reasons.
The Scalabrinian Sisters, under Assunta's guidance, expanded their mission to numerous countries around the world. Today, there are approximately 800 sisters continuing their valuable work in 26 countries, upholding Assunta's vision and dedication to the care of migrants.
Blessed Assunta Marchetti had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals. Her unwavering faith, love, and commitment to serving the marginalized and those seeking a better life made her a true beacon of hope.
Assunta's life of exemplary virtues and selfless service garnered recognition through her beatification process. On December 19, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared her heroic virtues, granting her the title of Venerable. This recognition affirmed her sanctity and commitment to living a life rooted in Christ.
On October 25, 2014, Pope Francis beatified Assunta Marchetti, officially acknowledging her as Blessed Assunta Marchetti. This beatification was marked with a special ceremony in São Paulo, Brazil, attended by Cardinal Angelo Amato and Cardinal Odilo Scherer.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Blessed Assunta Marchetti's beatification is the miracle attributed to her intercession. Heraclides Teixeira Filho, suffering from severe cardiovascular complications, experienced an instantaneous and permanent healing in January 1994. This miraculous intervention occurred during Heraclides' emergency cardio-surgical intervention in the Hospital Mãe de Deus in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The rapid and complete healing of his ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrest, and other conditions astounded the medical professionals involved.
Throughout her life, Blessed Assunta Marchetti fervently implored God's grace and interceded for those in need. Her beatification serves as a testament to her holiness and the impact of her devotion and service in the world. Even after her death on July 1, 1948, in São Paulo, Brazil, her legacy of compassion and care for migrants continues to inspire and guide the Scalabrinian Sisters and all those who strive to follow in her blessed footsteps.
Image: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons (Assunta Marchetti.png)
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