Today, February 18, is the memorial of Saint Geltrude Caterina Comensoli.
Foundress of the Congregation of the Sacramentine Sisters of Bergamo.
Born in Brescia, Italy in 1847, Geltrude was the fifth of Carlo and Anna Maria’s children. Even as a young girl, she was already devoted to the Holy Eucharist and hoped that someday she would be instrumental in making Jesus known through the Blessed Sacrament.
At 15, Geltrude joined the Sisters of Charity of St. Bartolomea Capitanio. However, poor health caused her to be dismissed from the convent.
She then served as domestic helper of the parish priest of Chiari, who later became bishop, and then worked for Countess Fé-Vitali. She made a vow of chastity and educated the children of the town, all these while continuing her job as a housemaid.
Her intense prayer life and acts of charity prepared Geltrude to once again enter the religious life. She told Bishop Speranza of Bergamo of her desire to found a congregation of sisters dedicated to the Eucharist. Soon after, Bishop Speranza informed Pope Leo XIII about her plans, which he accepted with the stipulation that they also educate young female factory workers.
In 1882, Geltrude, who was joined by two friends, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament or the Sacramentine Sisters. Despite some trials, the congregation was canonically recognized in 1891.
In 1903, Mother Geltrude died during midday adoration. Right after her death, people were already declaring her a saint.
Pope St. John Paul II beatified Geltrude in 1989. Pope Benedict XVI canonized her in 2009.