St. Clelia Barbieri

St. Clelia Barbieri was the youngest founder of a religious community in the history of the Catholic Church. Deeply devoted to God from a young age, she founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows at just 21 and died a year later, her sanctity already recognized.

St. Clelia Barbieri was born in Le Budrie, a small village near Bologna, Italy, to a poor but deeply religious family. Her father passed away when she was still very young, leaving her mother to raise her in simplicity and faith. From a young age, Clelia was drawn to prayer and acts of charity, known among villagers for her wisdom and holiness even in her teenage years.

By the age of 14, Clelia had already declined several marriage proposals and chose instead to dedicate her life to God. She became involved in local religious groups and began teaching catechism and caring for the sick and the poor. Recognizing a spiritual call that surpassed her years, Clelia gathered a group of young women who shared her zeal. At the age of 21, she founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows (Suore Minime dell’Addolorata) in 1868.

Though she only led her congregation for two years before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 23, her impact was profound. Her holiness and leadership inspired her followers, and the congregation spread rapidly across Italy and eventually to other continents.

An extraordinary sign of her ongoing presence is a mysterious voice—believed to be Clelia's—that has been heard during the sisters’ prayers and hymns for over a century, verified by many and never explained by natural means.

Clelia was beatified in 1968 and canonized in 1989 by Pope John Paul II, who recognized her youthful holiness and leadership as a powerful model for the Church.

Feast Day

13-7-

Birth Date

13-2-1847

Died Date

13-7-1870

Canonised Date

9-4-1989

San Giovanni in Persiceto, Bologna, Italy

St. Clelia Barbieri, young shepherdess of souls, inspire us to seek holiness in our youth and to serve with joyful hearts. Amen.
ST. CLELIA BARBIERI

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ST. CLELIA BARBIERI

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