Catholic University. Armida Barelli beata: the program, the initiatives and the ceremony


Armida Barelli

Armida Barelli – Isacem Archive – Institute for the History of Catholic Action and the Catholic Movement in Italy Paul VI

Saturday 30 April Armida Barelli, co-founder of the Catholic University, will be proclaimed blessed in the Milan Cathedral together with Don Mario Cicerthe. In view of the beatification, the University is preparing for the celebration with a rich program of events, initiatives and meetings open to the city.

Friday 29 April, at 6 pm, in the Aula Pio XI, the third and last appointment of the series of conferences “Singular female” promoted together with the Giuseppe Toniolo Institute, founding body of the Catholic University, with the aim of making known the figure and work of the “elder sister” Armida Barelli and in view of the 98th University Day of 1 May on the theme ” With a woman’s heart. At the service of culture and society “.

LIVE HERE

After the introduction by the rector of the University Franco Anelli, Elvina Finzi, nuclear engineer, Sister Maria Grazia Girolimetto, abbess of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in Orta San Giulio, Katerina Poteriaieva, violinist of the Lviv Orchestra, Antonella Sciarrone Alibrandi, vicar rector will speak. of the Catholic University, Cristina Scocchia, Illycaffè CEO, Silvia Vegetti Finzi, psychologist and academic. The director of Tg1 Rai Monica Maggioni will moderate the debate. HOW TO PARTICIPATE (in person or on video).

All time Friday 29 April, from 8 pm to 9.30 pm, the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio will host the prayer vigil in preparation for the beatification of the “venerable servant of God”. Addressed to everyone, and in particular to young people, it will be chaired by the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Friar Massimo Fusarelli and may also be followed live streaming. Through Armida’s texts, the most significant experiences of her life will be retraced, her commitment to the Women’s Youth of Catholic Action, her consecration in the world and the Franciscan spirituality that radiated all of her works. At her vigil the young people of Catholic Action will be present for the animation.

On Saturday 30 April, at 10 am, the celebration for the beatification will be held in the Duomo of Milan, preceded by a moment of prayer.

He will preside over the concelebration – which will be broadcast live on TV2000, and can be seen by portal of the church of Milan and it can also be followed from the Gemelli Hall of the Catholic University specially set up – the cardinal Marcello Semeraroprefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, representing Pope Francis.

On the same day, at 20.55, the documentary entitled “Armida Barelli. Being to act ”, created by the author and TV presenter Monica Mondo with the collaboration of the Catholic University.

The visit to the tomb

Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, from 8 to 20, it will be possible to visit the tomb of Armida Barelli in the Chapel of the Catholic University.

The liturgical memorial on November 19

The liturgical memorial of Armida Barelli will take place on November 19, that of Don Mario Ciceri on June 14.

The 98th Day for the Catholic University

The day after the beatification rite, which takes place in the year of the centenary of the foundation of the University of Italian Catholics, the 98th Day for the Catholic University will be celebrated, conceived and promoted by Armida Barelli in 1924 in parishes throughout Italy for fundraising to support “his University”.

«With the heart of a woman – reads the message of the CEI -, Armida Barelli testified above all to the value and fruitfulness of” unconditional trust in the Sacred Heart “, the key to her existence. Strengthened by this trust, theologically founded, solid and not trivially sentimental, the “Cashier” of the University and the “Older Sister” of the Female Youth senses and carries on with determination the need to register the nascent Athenaeum of the Italian Catholics “.

Sunday 1st Mayat 11 am, the Ecclesiastical Assistant General of the Cattolica, Monsignor Claudio Giuliodori, will celebrate the Holy Mass in the Aula Magna of the University, broadcast live on Rai 1 on the occasion of the Day for the Catholic University.

Life and work of Armida Barellthe

Armida Barelli was born in Milan on 1 December 1882, she completed her studies between 1895 and 1900 at the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Menzingen (German-speaking Switzerland). In 1910 she met her father Agostino Gemelli. After the war you, with the Franciscan, you give life to a form of consecration in the world, according to the Franciscan spirituality that will become over time the Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ. She is vice-president for social action in the Milanese committee of Catholic women, on behalf of Cardinal Andrea Carlo Ferrari she starts the Female Catholic Youth (Gf) in 1918. The “elder sister”, as she is called, also actively collaborates in the foundation of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (1921) which she wants to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart. In favor of the University she played the role of “cashier” for many years (today we would say fund raiser), also giving life to the Association of Friends and animating the University Day. In 1929 she promoted, with Father Gemelli, the Work of Regality, to bring believers closer to the liturgical life. In 1946 you left the presidency of the Gf you and took over for three years, on the recommendation of Pius XII, the general vice-presidency of Catholic Action. She fell seriously ill in 1949 and died in Marzio on 15 August 1952. The process of beatification of Armida Barelli began in 1970. On 1 June 2007 she was declared “venerable” by Pope Benedict XVI who authorized the decree for the promulgation of her virtues heroic and on February 20, 2021 Pope Francis paved the way for beatification with the recognition of the miracle that occurred through his intercession in Prato: a 65-year-old woman in May 1989 had suffered a car accident reporting a severe concussion with serious consequences of type neurological and was cured, in a scientifically inexplicable way, thanks to the prayers of the family who had turned to Armida.

Video

Catholic University. Armida Barelli beata: the program, the initiatives and the ceremony