“The Church of God is not a restful garden, but a working vineyard.”
Lucy was born on January 13, 1672, in Corneto-Tarquinia, in the central area of Italy along the western coast. She was the 5th and youngest of Filippo and Maddalena Filippini. Her mother died before her 1st birthday, and her father died 6 years later, and she became an orphan.
She went to live with her aristocratic aunt and uncle who encouraged her religious inclination and had her educated by the Benedictine nuns at Santa Lucia.
She was intelligent, modest and religious with her focus on God. She would prepare small altars and pray devoutly as a child. As she grew, she would seek a serene atmosphere in the Monastery longing to be amongst those whose lives she admired.
When Cardinal Mark Anthony Barbagrigo made a visit, he made a lasting impression upon Lucy, and she followed him to Montefiascone. He had a vision of developing the Christian conscience and encouraging the practice of virtue in the home by opening schools with this approach, particularly for the poor.
He saw Lucy’s talents, abilities, and devotion, and at the age of 20, she was entrusted to establish schools for young girls and women. She worked under the expertise of Blessed Rose Venerini, who was experienced in training teachers, and together they founded the Religious Teachers Filippini, a congregation that was dedicated to the education and spiritual development of girls. Their aim was to establish schools throughout Italy.
12 years later, the Cardinal devised a set of rules to guide Lucy and her followers in the religious life.
She worked tirelessly and established numerous institutions dedicated to delivering quality education rooted in Catholic values and helped influence a healthy family life. The schools expanded rapidly.
At the age of 35, she was called to Rome by Pope Clement XI to start schools which he placed under his special protection. She established the 1st school in Rome and her group is credited with the religious and social improvement of Italian women well before compulsory education.
She faced considerable physical challenges, battling various illnesses and ailments but continued to persevere in her dedication.
She passed away on March 25, 1732, on the Feast of the Annunciation, in Montefiascone, Italy, after a battle with breast cancer at the age of 60.
52 schools were established in her lifetime and still continues. Her mission has spread into Europe, England, Ethiopia, Albania, Eritrea, India, Brazil, and the U.S.A. Pontificio Istituto Maestre Pie Filippini: https://www.pontificioistitutompf.it/
She was given the last available niche at Saint Peter’s Basilica.
A poor man had asked Lucy for money, and she was upset because she had none to give him. Instead, she cut off the silver buckle attached to her copy of The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and gave it to him to relieve his need. When asked about all of the money and precious items she had given away to the poor she replied, “I have sent it all to Paradise!”
She is the patron saint of the Religious Teachers Filippini.
Her feast day is March 25
For God’s Glory.
