Today, December 30, is the memorial of Blessed Eugenia Ravasco.
Foundress of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Ravasco Institute).
Eugenia Ravasco was born in Milan, Italy in 1845. It was a time when opposition to the Church and the clergy was increasing, with the Freemasons actively opposing the Catholic hierarchy. Her family was not discouraged. They continued to lead, very openly, their Catholic way of life. Eugenia became a woman of fervent prayer.
Though Eugenia’s family wanted her to get married, she pursued her vocation to the religious life. Her vocation was very specific: to serve the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her spiritual director assisted her during this period. She was teaching catechism and performing works of charity.
Soon, many young ladies were attracted to her apostolate. In 1868, thanks to the generosity of Canon Salvatore Magnasco, Eugenia founded the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, now more popularly known as the Ravasco Institute. The sisters teach catechism and educate the poor.
Despite the anti-clerical stance of her times and places, Eugenia persevered as the first Mother Superior of her congregation. She was well-travelled around Europe to open new communities, correct anti-Catholic journalism, and provide spiritual encouragement to her sisters, among others. The Ravasco Institute received papal approval in 1909.
Mother Eugenia served the rest of her life as first Superior to the Congregation and worked with great courage in the face of growing anti–clerical persecution in her region. She travelled Italy, France and Switzerland to start new communities, teach, give direction to new sisters, and correct the anti–Catholic press. The congregation received diocesan approval in 1882, the first group of sisters made their perpetual profession in 1884, and they received papal approval in 1909.
Her congregation flourishes in Europe, South America, Africa, and the Philippines to this day. The sisters do mission in schools and parishes, youth and women’s groups.
“Live in abandonment to God and in the hands of Mary Immaculate.”
She died of natural causes at age 55 in December 30, 1900. Pope St. John Paul II beatified Mother Eugenia in 2003 in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.