Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano

(Memorial: October 7)

Blessed Chiara Badano lived an extraordinary life before succumbing to one of the most painful forms of cancer at age 19. Learn about this remarkable young Italian girl who lived during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Love Made Her Beautiful

St. Augustine often said that “love makes us beautiful.” Chiara, besides being a nice-looking girl, was, in fact clothed in evangelical beauty. Her photos show that even as an infant she had quite a strong character. What is so striking in these photos is the purity of her expression.

Her life is made up of successes and failures: lack of understanding and appreciation by some of her teachers (she failed an exam during her higher secondary school which she considered an injustice), friendships and marginalization (due to her Christian commitment, she was branded as “nun”). Her first crush soon turned out to be a disappointment. Chiara Luce tried to turn small and great difficulties into love, always dedicated to the persons close to her.

Her last words to her mother were: “Goodbye. Be happy because I’m happy.”

Chiara Luce Badano was beatified on September 25, 2010.

Let us pray to give Jesus our whole selves, even in moments of suffering – like Blessed Chiara!

Learn More at the Official Website: https://www.chiarabadano.org/?lang=en