Maddalena Morano was born in 1847, the sixth of eight children. When she was eight years old, her father and older sister died, and Maddalena went to work to support the family as the sole breadwinner. Her uncle was a priest who helped with her education, and by the time she was 14, she was hired as a schoolteacher. Though she felt a calling to religious life she continued to work for the next 12 years as a teacher and catechist. After raising her siblings and saving enough money to secure her mother’s future, she consulted St. John Bosco and he directed her to join the Salesian Sisters. She was sent to work directing a school, teaching, cooking, and training new teachers. By the time of her death at age 60, she had opened 18 new Salesian houses.
CHALLENGE
Blessed Maddalena Caterina Morano put her desire to live the life of a consecrated religious on hold, realizing that sometimes following God’s call means putting others first and that taking care of your family is doing God’s work. Today, spend at least half an hour in meditative prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can serve your family better.
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