Giuseppina Nicoli

The work of Giuseppina Nicoli unfolded mainly in Sardinia. In Cagliari (1885-1899), she taught at the Conservatory of Providence and founded the 'Luigini' association for the education of young workers. In Sassari (1899-1910), as superior of the orphanage, she developed the Association of the Children of Mary, organized catechism classes, founded the 'School of Religion' for female students, and established the Little Work of Louise de Marillac. After a brief return to Turin (1910-1913) as provincial bursar and director of the seminary, she returned to Cagliari in 1914. There, she directed the Marina Asylum and dedicated herself to the 'is piccioccus de crobi' (the 'basket urchins'), street boys whom she welcomed and trained under the name of 'marianelli'. She collaborated with Teresa Tambelli and patiently faced slander in 1924, forgiving her detractor on his deathbed.

Undermined by tuberculosis and carried off by bronchopneumonia, Giuseppina Nicoli passed away on December 31, 1924, in Cagliari at the age of 61. Her funeral gathered an immense crowd. Initially buried in the Bonaria cemetery, her remains were transferred in 1932 to the chapel of the Asilo della Marina in Cagliari. The cause for beatification was opened at the diocesan level in Cagliari in 1930. Pope Benedict XVI recognized the heroic nature of her virtues on April 28, 2006, conferring upon her the title of Venerable.

On July 6, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing a miracle attributed to her intercession: the sudden and unexplained healing of a young soldier suffering from a serious bone tumor with lumbar swelling. The beatification ceremony was celebrated on February 3, 2008, on the parvis of the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria in Cagliari, presided over by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins. Her liturgical memorial is set for December 31 in the Roman Martyrology, and is celebrated on February 3 by the Vincentian Family and the dioceses of Sardinia.

The spirituality of Giuseppina Nicoli rests upon an intimate union with the Eucharistic Christ and a total abandonment to the divine will, guided by the conviction that love of neighbor is the measure of love for God. Her charitable action was a true evangelization through tenderness. Her legacy remains alive in Cagliari through the Asilo della Marina, which continues to be a center for hospitality, and the "Beata Suor Giuseppina Nicoli" Association, which perpetuates her works among the most destitute.