Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena

Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena, also known as Maria Pia Mastena, was born on 7 December 1881 in Bovolone, Verona, Italy. She was the eldest of five children of Giulio Mastena, a grocer, and Maria Antonia Casarotti, an elementary school teacher. Blessed Teresa Maria was raised in a devout Catholic family, with one of her brothers becoming a priest and another attempting to follow the same path. Her sister also became a tertiary, demonstrating the strong religious influence within the family.

At the age of 14, Blessed Teresa Maria felt a calling to religious life and attempted to join the convent. However, she was considered too young at the time. Undeterred, she continued her journey towards the religious life, and at the age of 17, she joined the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy in Verona. On 24 October 1903, she made her religious profession and received the name Sister Passitea of the Child Jesus.

Within the cloistered life, Blessed Teresa Maria became known for her strict adherence to the rules and her deep devotion to the Eucharist, the Passion of Jesus, and His Holy Face. However, she soon realized that the cloistered life was not her calling and decided to return to the world to serve as a headmistress of a school in Miane, Italy. Subsequently, she was transferred to schools in Carpesica, Italy, and then San Fior, Italy.

In 1930, while in San Fior, Blessed Teresa Maria founded the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Face. The main mission of this institute was to propagate, repair, and restore Jesus' gentle image in souls. The Institute aimed to foster a deep devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and to spread awareness of His love and mercy. On 8 December 1936, the Institute was canonically erected as a diocesan Congregation, with the first ten members making their perpetual vows. Mother Maria Pia, as she came to be known, was appointed as the Superior General and served in this role for the rest of her life.

Throughout her life, Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena exemplified dedication to her religious calling and service to others. She had a profound love for Jesus and sought to convey His message of love and compassion to all. Mother Maria Pia's work in establishing and leading the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Face brought her recognition and admiration.

On the evening of 28 June 1951, while working to establish a new house for the Institute, Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena passed away in Rome, Italy, from a heart attack. She was buried in the chapel of the Institute convent in San Fior, Italy.

In recognition of her exemplary life, Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena was venerated on 5 July 2002 when Pope John Paul II declared her heroic virtues. She was then beatified on 13 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI, with the celebration of this recognition taking place at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena's life serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating how a deep faith and commitment to one's calling can lead to acts of great love and service to others.