Saint Paula Frassinetti (1809-1882)
Virgin; Foundress of the Congregation of Saint Dorothy
On March 3, 1809, the day of her birth, Paula Frassinetti becomes a child of God. Indeed, on that same date she receives baptism in the Parish of Santo Stefano in Genoa, her native town.
The third child born into the family after Giuseppe and Francesco, Paula grows in the peaceful atmosphere of her home, which is later blessed by the birth of two other boys: Giovanni and Raffaele. Her mother offers a model of virtue, and little Paula delicately opens herself to divine grace, which works marvels in her in accordance with God's plan. Angela, her mother, does not live to see the fulfillment of God's intentions for her daughter. She dies, leaving Paula – who is only nine years old – to take care of the household. Days of bewilderment and sorrow follow, during which time Paula spares no effort as she gives to her father Giovanni Battista, and to her brothers, that loving attention which is the fruit of many sacrifices.
Her first Holy Communion and her brother Giuseppe's ordination are moments of deep reflection for this young woman who, in the depth of her heart, already hears the divine call. Within the family circle she learns to read and write; here she receives all of her basic training.
Her brother Giuseppe, who is by now well advanced in his theological studies, speaks to her about the things of God, and Paula listens to and accepts his teaching. She hears the call to follow the Lord more closely. The Master's words – "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Mt. 10:37) – find a deep echo within her.
But her father is not very enthusiastic: How can he live without his Paula?
Paula tries to silence her desire as she awaits God's time. And later on, the occasion will indeed present itself.
At the age of 19, she finds herself physically fatigued, owing to the strenuous pace of her familial responsibilities. Her brother, Father Giuseppe – who now is parish priest at Quinto, a small seaside village in Liguria – offers Paula hospitality for some time. The pure air of Quinto proves beneficial to her delicate health. Parish life affords her the opportunity of doing good, as, little by little, her gentle ways attract the youth of the neighborhood. Every Sunday they take long walks together in the woods to speak of the things of God. Such encounters take place often, and soon other girls join the group. Paula reveals to them the secrets of a life completely dedicated to the Lord, and in this process, she discovers her vocation as an educator. An enthusiastic group of young women, living in communion of love, forms itself around Paula. The idea of a new religious Institute becomes clear in her mind, and she confides this thought to her brother, Father Giuseppe.
Notwithstanding obstacles and sufferings, the ideal soon becomes a reality. She and six companions will overcome the initial challenges. With great determination Paula begins her work, marked by that cross which she will love throughout her life and which, one day, will cause her to exclaim: "Those who sacrifice themselves the most, love most."
Thus on August 12, 1834, in the sanctuary of San Martino in Albaro, seven young women dedicate their lives to God. Father Giuseppe, who had prepared them for this important step, celebrates Mass for them. They are happy, for within a few hours they will have laid the foundation of the Institute by starting to live in community, placing their trust in God alone. In fact they possess nothing: at Quinto, in the small house they have chosen as their first dwelling, there is poverty. They open a school for very poor children and are obliged to work even at night in order to survive. Enthusiasm is not lacking, and this causes the school to flourish. But God's ways are not our ways: for Paula, earthly sufferings give evidence of God's will. Cholera breaks out and rapidly spreads in Genoa, and Paula's daughters are there to bring help and comfort.
In 1835 a priest from Bergamo – Father Luca Passi, a friend of Father Giuseppe – having learned of Paula's apostolic zeal, asks her to assume responsibility for the Pious Work of Saint Dorothy, a project which he had founded with the aim of reaching the poorest and most needy youth in the setting where they live and work. In this project Paula clearly sees the educational trend that will mark her life; in it she will find the apostolic dimension of her consecration.
She does not hesitate to take on the task requested by Father Passi. Her sisters will no longer be called "Daughters of the Faith" but rather "Sisters of Saint Dorothy." It is an important moment for the members of that first group. Their initial inspiration now becomes more concrete: "To be fully available in the hands of God to evangelize through education, with a preference for youth and the poorest."
Other houses are opened in Genoa; then attention is turned to Rome, the center of Christianity. On May 19, 1841 – just seven years after the foundation of the Institute – Paula arrives in Rome accompanied by two novices. Even here she encounters many difficulties. The first house comprises two rooms above a stable at the Vicolo SS. Apostoli. Paula accepts numerous trials, and a great reward awaits her: she is received in audience by Pope Gregory XVI, who is pleased with the work of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy. The Lord has spoken to Paula, and she is happy.
Hardships and sufferings increase; poverty and sickness afflict the brave sisters, who do not even have enough money to buy medicine.
In 1844 the Pope entrusts Paula with the direction of the Conservatory of S. Maria del Rifugio at S. Onofrio. By her gentleness and charity she transforms the place, and as a result of her activity and presence, S. Onofrio becomes the Mother House.
In 1846 an anticlerical spirit spreads throughout Italy. In Genoa even the Dorotheans are singled out, and the daughters of Paula are exposed to suffering.
Persecution also reaches Rome: Pius IX, who has succeeded Gregory XVI, is obliged to take refuge at Gaeta, and Cardinals, Bishops, and Prelates all leave the capital. Paula remains alone at the head of a numerous community, and with courageous faith she surmounts the crisis.
The storm calms down. It is 1850, and Paula obtains the desired audience with Pius IX, who is like a father to her. Moved by a great love for the Pope and for the Church, she makes the journey to Gaeta, thus repeating, in a sense, the gesture of Saint Catherine of Siena in the fourteenth century.
Paula now enters into the last thirty years of her life. These can be defined as the period of great expansion, because the Institute – besides firmly consolidating itself in Liguria and in the Pontifical State – extends its work to other parts of Italy and beyond. Various educational centers are established in Rome, and Paula arranges to open a house in Naples, a boarding school in Bologna, and an orphanage at Recanati.
In 1866 the first missionaries leave for Brazil, and in the same year Portugal is also reached. Paula sustains her daughters with these words: "Be burning flames that ignite with God's love all those with whom you come into contact."
Difficulties cannot bar the path of saints. Paula is a woman of great faith: "Our Lord wills that you cling to Him alone! If your faith were greater, how much more peaceful you would be, even in the midst of tribulations."
Paula lives in complete abandonment to the Will of God, which is, as she says, "the sole gem we must seek." Elsewhere she writes: "Will of God – my paradise!"
1878 marks the death of Pius IX, the Pope who in his many encounters with Paula always had words of esteem and encouragement for her apostolic work.
Paula soon feels that her earthly days are coming to a close. It is the dawn of June 11, 1882. She is serene, and her passing is tranquil, thus bringing into evidence the richness of her life. She invokes the Blessed Virgin whom she has always loved so much: "My Mother, remember I am your child."
On June 8, 1930, Paula is declared Blessed!
On March 11, 1984, the bells of Saint Peter's ring out again to announce that Paula is a Saint.
Their joyous peal reaches those parts of the world where the Dorotheans work for God's greater glory and the extension of His Kingdom: Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Azores, Malta, England, Switzerland, Albania), North America (U.S.A.), Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico), Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Cameroun, S. Tomé e Príncipe), Asia (Taiwan, the Philippines).
Paula lives on in the deep spirit that animates the Congregation: "to seek always and in all things the greater glory of God through a greater service of humanity."
(The above material is adapted from the Web site of the Holy See.)
Back to top of page
|
