Born in Italy in 1827 to a father who was a heavy drinker and gambler, Maria Fortunata Viti’s mother died when Maria was 14, and Maria alone raised her eight siblings by working a job as a housekeeper to provide for the family. When her siblings were grown, she entered the Benedictine order at the age of 24. She was always happy, quiet, and prayerful, and her virtue won the admiration of the other Benedictine nuns, but it also brought frequent attacks by the devil. She never held any position in the convent other than that of serving as the humble, happy housekeeper for over 70 years.
CHALLENGE
Blessed Maria Fortunata had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and would often just “stop by” the adoration chapel to visit Jesus while on her way to or from her daily tasks. Today, just “stop by” to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in an adoration chapel or in the tabernacle of a church as you pass by on your way to or from wherever you’re going.
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