St. Mary Mazzarello: A Life of Faith and Service
Early Life (1837–1850)
Maria Domenica Mazzarello was born on May 9, 1837, in Mornese, a small village in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. She was the eldest of seven children in a devoutly religious, industrious farming family. Her parents, Joseph and Maddalena Mazzarello, brought her up in the firm traditions of Catholic faith, stressing daily prayer, honesty, and hard work.
Mary was very responsible as a child, assisting her father in the vineyards. She received little formal education but was clever, determined, and spiritually inclined.
Faith and Early Spiritual Growth (1850–1860)
When she was 15, Mary became a member of the Association of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception, a congregation of young women that practiced prayer and charity. She was spiritually guided by her parish priest, Fr. Pestarino.
Mary became devoted to the Virgin Mary and took a personal oath to live a life devoted to God, even though she continued to be a laywoman then.
Her life was dramatically changed in 1860, when a typhoid epidemic swept through Mornese. She bravely assisted the ill, but in the process, she became infected with the disease herself. Although she recovered, her health was irreparably damaged, and she could no longer work in the fields.
A New Mission: Education for Young Girls (1860–1864)
Having to abandon fieldwork, Mary looked for other means of service. With a friend, Petronilla, she established a small sewing workshop where they not only taught the local girls how to sew but also Christian values and faith. This was the start of what would be her life’s work: the education and formation of young women.
Mary’s dream was not only to instruct skills but to form the entire person, enabling girls to grow in faith, morals, and useful skills.
Meeting Don Bosco (1864–1872)
In 1864, St. John Bosco (Don Bosco), founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, came to Mornese. Don Bosco had already begun educating and improving poor boys in Turin and was seeking a means to do the same for girls.
Realizing Mary’s leadership and strong spirituality, he recognized that she and her friends could form the basis for a new religious congregation. With his mentorship, Mary and her friends made preparations for religious life.
Foundation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (1872)
Mary Mazzarello and 10 other women religiously vowed themselves on August 5, 1872, to become the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters). Don Bosco named Mary the first Superior General of the congregation.
The new congregation emphasized:
Education and professional training for young girls
Giving shelter and education to orphans
Spreading Christian values and Salesian spirituality
In spite of her untrained education, Mary was a wonderful leader, directing the sisters, establishing new schools, and the outreach of their mission.
Expansion and Growth (1872–1881)
As the leader of the Salesian Sisters, they expanded rapidly and opened schools and orphanages all over Italy and abroad. By 1877, the first batch of Salesian Sisters was sent on missions to South America, and the international work of the order began.
Mary was deeply humble, kind, and possessed great spiritual sense. She governed by example, working side by side with her sisters, experiencing their difficulties, and encouraging them with the words:
“Do good while you still have time.”
Although she was Superior General, she had a simple lifestyle, always keeping others ahead of herself.
Final Years and Death (1881)
By 1880, Mary’s health was weakening as a result of the sequelae of her previous illness and the strenuous demands of the work. She still directed the congregation but gradually weakened.
On May 14, 1881, at the age of 44, Mary Mazzarello died in Nizza Monferrato, Italy. Her dying words were a witness to her humility and faith:
“I am going now. I will see you in Heaven.”
Canonization and Legacy
Mary Mazzarello’s virtues and missionary zeal resulted in her being beatified on 20 November 1938, and canonized as a saint on 24 June 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) now carry on her work, serving in more than 90 nations and educating and empowering young girls all over the world.
Conclusion
St. Mary Mazzarello lived a life of humility, service, and strong faith. In spite of adversity, she responded to God’s call and became a beacon of hope for young girls in need. Her legacy lives on through the thousands of sisters and teachers who continue her mission today.