Blessed Clelia Merloni

Biography

Blessed Clelia Merloni, born on 10 March 1861 in Forli, Italy, was the daughter of Gioacchino Merloni, a wealthy and influential industrialist, and Teresa Brandinelli. At only a few hours old, Clelia was baptized in the diocesan cathedral of Santa Croce in Forli. Tragically, her mother passed away in 1864 when Clelia was just three years old. She was then raised by her maternal grandmother and her step-mother, Maria Giovanna Boeri, who married Gioacchino in 1866.

Clelia's upbringing emphasized piety and a good education, instilling in her a love for the Catholic faith. However, her father became completely absorbed in business pursuits, leading him to become openly hostile to religion. He joined the Freemasons and developed a specific anti-Catholic stance. Gioacchino intended for Clelia to join him in the business world, but she felt a strong calling to religious life. This decision created tension within the family, and he blamed the women in the family for influencing Clelia against him.

In response to her father's opposition, Clelia devotedly prayed for him and undertook acts of penance to seek reparation for his actions. Her persistence eventually bore fruit, as Gioacchino reconciled with the Catholic faith before his death in 1885.

After being freed from her family obligations, Clelia joined the Figlie di Santa Maria della Divina Provvidenza (Daughters of Holy Mary of the Divine Providence). While living a religious life, she felt a profound calling to establish a congregation devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On 30 May 1894, in Viareggio, Italy, Clelia founded the Apostole del Sacro Cuore di Ges√π (Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Unfortunately, internal conflicts emerged within the newly formed religious order. Corruption and theft by Clelia's finance administrator, who happened to be a priest, caused significant turmoil. Concerned about scandal and anti-Catholic sentiment, Clelia chose not to involve civil authorities. Subsequently, she left the order in 1896.

However, on 10 June 1900, Clelia returned to religious life with the approval and support of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, the bishop of Piacenza, Italy. She was readmitted into the Apostles and played a crucial role in setting them up for missionary work in Brazil.

Following the death of Bishop Scalabrini in 1905, the Apostles faced declining support, and internal strife resurfaced. In 1911, Clelia was replaced as Superior General by the Vatican. As a result, she withdrew from public life and, in 1916, received dispensation from her religious vows.

Late in life, however, Clelia expressed a desire to re-enter religious life. On 7 March 1928, she became a simple sister in the Apostoles again. It is worth noting that the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose motto is "The Love of Christ Impels Us," continue their work today. With a presence in various countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, the United States, Mozambique, Benin, Albania, Taiwan, and the Philippines, the congregation primarily focuses on education.

Mother Clelia Merloni passed away in Rome, Italy, on 21 November 1930, due to natural causes. She was buried at the Campo Verano cemetery in Rome. However, during World War II, the cemetery was destroyed, and Clelia's remains were subsequently re-interred in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome in 1945.

Her virtues were recognized by Pope Francis, who declared her venerable on 21 December 2016. Later on, she was beatified by Pope Francis on 3 November 2018. The beatification ceremony took place at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome and was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu. The beatification miracle involved the complete cure of Brazilian physician Pedro √Çngelo from Landry's paralysis or Guillian-Barré syndrome in 1951. Pedro had reached a stage where swallowing became extremely difficult, and his condition was considered fatal. However, through a combination of prayer and consuming water from a cup containing a relic of Clelia (a piece of fabric from her veil), he experienced a miraculous healing.