Maria Gargani

In San Marco la Catola, Maria Gargani did not limit herself to her professional obligations as a public school teacher. Driven by a remarkable apostolic zeal, she taught catechism to rural children, visited the sick, and was actively involved in the nascent Catholic Action. Concerned with making her religion classes lively and attractive, she used pedagogical methods that were modern for the time, notably acquiring an image projector to illustrate the life of Jesus. It was in this context that she had a decisive spiritual encounter. In 1915, she became the spiritual daughter of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Their first exchange of letters began on August 26, 1916. Padre Pio would guide her spiritually for many years through a correspondence rich with 67 letters, helping her to discern her vocation amidst doubts and inner trials. They met in person for the first time in April 1918 at the convent of San Marco la Catola. Although Maria felt the call to consecrated life as early as 1914, her successive spiritual directors held back her plans to enter existing institutes. While praying in the church of Volturara Appula (where she was transferred as a teacher in 1928), she received the inspiration to found a new religious family. When she spoke to Padre Pio about it, he strongly encouraged her, saying: "There, finally, is where we were meant to arrive! It is the will of God." On February 11, 1936, Msgr. Giuseppe Di Girolamo, Bishop of Lucera, authorized the foundation of the "Pious Union of the Sister Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus" in Volturara Appula. The institute dedicated itself to catechesis, the education of children in nursery schools, and the vocational training of young girls, particularly in rural areas and where priests were lacking. In 1945, in order to foster the development of vocations, Maria Gargani transferred the Motherhouse to Naples, with the agreement of Cardinal Alessio Ascalesi, Archbishop of Naples. On April 18, 1945, she and her first companions pronounced their religious vows. Maria then took the name Sister Maria Crocifissa del Divino Amore. The Motherhouse was officially established at 12, Via Nuova San Rocco di Capodimonte in Naples. On June 20, 1956, the Pious Union was erected as a congregation of diocesan right under the name "Sister Apostles of the Sacred Heart" (Suore Apostole del Sacro Cuore). Final pontifical approval was granted by Pope John XXIII on March 12, 1963. Mother Maria Crocifissa led the congregation as Superior General until 1971. She passed away in Naples on May 23, 1973, at the age of 80.

The reputation for holiness of Mother Maria Crocifissa del Divino Amore spread rapidly after her death. The diocesan inquiry process into her life and virtues opened on September 12, 1988, and closed on May 16, 2002. The Positio was submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 2007. On July 7, 2017, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, thus granting her the title of Venerable.

To pave the way for her beatification, a miracle attributed to her intercession was examined by the Holy See. It concerned the inexplicable healing of Michelina Formichella, a resident of Torrecuso (province of Benevento). In July 1975, this woman underwent surgery for malignant cancer of the pylorus. Observing the massive presence of metastases that had spread to the liver, pancreas, and mesocolon, the surgeons closed the wound without being able to intervene and gave her three months to live. During her illness, Michelina constantly invoked Mother Maria Crocifissa, whom she had known during her lifetime. Two months after returning home, she dreamed of the nun, who announced her healing. Upon waking, all symptoms had disappeared. The healing was total, lasting, and scientifically inexplicable. Michelina Formichella would live for another forty years and pass away in 2015 from a heart attack, without ever having a relapse. On January 26, 2018, Pope Francis signed the decree officially recognizing this miracle. The beatification ceremony was celebrated on June 2, 2018, in the Cathedral of Naples. It was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, representing Pope Francis. Maria Gargani thus became the first spiritual daughter of Padre Pio to be raised to the honors of the altars.

The spirituality of Blessed Maria Gargani is deeply rooted in the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and in the spirit of reparation. She knew how to combine a life of intense contemplation, nourished by the Eucharist, with tireless apostolic action among the poorest, children, and the sick. Her spiritual bond with Padre Pio deeply marked her soul. She transmitted to her sisters the Pauline spirituality of strength in weakness, choosing as the motto for her congregation the famous phrase of the Apostle Paul: "I can do all things in him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). Today, the Sisters Apostles of the Sacred Heart continue their mission of education, catechesis, and pastoral assistance in Italy and abroad. The mortal remains of the Blessed rest and are venerated in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the congregation in Naples.