Alfonsa Clerici

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood (Suore del Preziosissimo Sangue of Monza), founded by the Venerable Maria Matilde Bucchi, is primarily dedicated to the education of youth. Sister Alfonsa made her vows there and began her mission as an educator at the college in Monza. Her human and spiritual qualities quickly led her to positions of responsibility: she was appointed vice-principal of the college on October 18, 1898, and then principal on November 22 of the same year. She also served as secretary and general councilor of her institute, actively contributing to overcoming a serious financial crisis that struck the congregation at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1911, the Archbishop of Vercelli, Msgr. Teodoro Valfrè di Bonzo, requested the congregation to take charge of the direction of the "Istituto della Provvidenza" (Institution of Providence). This establishment, founded in 1840, welcomed and educated young girls who were poor, orphaned, or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Sister Alfonsa moved to Vercelli on November 20, 1911. For nineteen years, she directed this work with tireless maternal devotion, becoming a beloved and respected figure to the entire local population for her charity and piety.

Sister Alfonsa's life ended in prayer. During the night of January 12 to 13, 1930, while she was praying on her knees, she was struck by a cerebral hemorrhage and collapsed with her face against the floor. She passed away the following day, January 14, 1930, at 1:30 p.m., in Vercelli, at the age of 69. Her solemn funeral took place on January 16, 1930. Initially buried in Vercelli, her remains were transferred on May 8, 1965, to the cemetery chapel of the Sisters of the Precious Blood college in Monza.

Sister Alfonsa's reputation for holiness led to the opening of her cause for beatification. The diocesan informative process opened in Vercelli on January 13, 1966, and closed on June 30, 1969. The validity of this process was recognized by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on November 18, 1988. On June 22, 2004, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, thus conferring upon her the title of Venerable.

The miracle accepted for her beatification concerns the scientifically inexplicable healing of Mr. Nedo Frosini, who was suffering from an extremely serious and potentially fatal heart condition. This healing occurred after his wife, Carla Demi Frosini, fervently invoked the intercession of the Venerable Alfonsa Clerici. The diocesan inquiry into this miracle took place in the Archdiocese of Milan from February 16 to June 24, 2004. Following a favorable opinion from the medical commission (November 27, 2008) and the theologians (April 22, 2009), the miracle was officially recognized by the decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, approved by Pope Benedict XVI on July 1, 2010. The beatification ceremony was celebrated on October 23, 2010, in the square of the Cathedral of Sant'Eusebio in Vercelli. It was presided over by Archbishop Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, representing Pope Benedict XVI. The following day, during the Angelus of October 24, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI honored the memory of the new Blessed, emphasizing that she was "guided by the Lord toward perfect charity." On October 2, 2011, her relics were solemnly placed under the altar of the Crucifix Chapel in the Cathedral of Vercelli.

The spirituality of Alfonsa Clerici is deeply marked by the mystery of the Precious Blood of Jesus, the source of redemption and infinite love. Her interior life is characterized by total humility, a spirit of joyful sacrifice, and a confident abandonment to Divine Providence. She summarized her ideal of life with this formula: "Sarò contenta ove più vi sarà di sacrificio, sarò contenta di spargere il sangue della volontà, dell'amor proprio" ("I will be content where there is the most sacrifice, I will be content to shed the blood of the will, of self-love").

Her legacy is perpetuated through the educational and charitable action of the Sisters of the Precious Blood of Monza, who continue their mission today among the youth and the most destitute in Italy, but also in several mission countries such as Brazil, Kenya, East Timor, and Myanmar.