Madre Giuditta Martelli, to whom our school is named. Madre Giuditta was born in Portigliola (RC) Italy on April 13, 1893 from a rich, Christian family. She had a profound Christian education that favored the development of the most elect virtues in her soul. As a young girl, she usually help her father, who was a doctor and was very active in helping the sick and the poor people in their place. She grew and fell in love with Christ. At the age of 22, deeply touched by the needs of the orphans, she opened our first house in Portigliola. The poor children were given shelter, food, love and proper Christian education. Filled by the Holy Spirit, her works grew like burning fire. She gradually acquired the Christian virtues and has grown in her devotion to the Holy Spirit. In love and inspired with the same Spirit, she founded a Religious Congregation, the “Parochial Handmaids of the Holy Spirit” (Ancelle Parrocchiali dello Spirito Santo) in the year 1933 to embrace the local poor and the abandoned youth with true Christian education and love. In a few years, the Congregation has spread in different parts of the world, always catering to the needs of our poor brothers and sisters.
Madre Giuditta Martelli, the true handmaid of the Holy Spirit, was called back to heavenly home on May 21,1957 leaving behind the many pastoral activities which still continue up to now. The Congregation received from the Holy See the Pontifical approval on March 25, 1983. The acts of love which Madre Giuditta has planted have grown and will continue to grow because her spirit together with the Unseen God will hover along in the journey through life. On December 1, 2007, the Cause for Beatification of Madre Giuditta was officially opened by Mons. GianCarlo Maria Bregantini, Bishop of the Diocese of Locri-Gerace. The MGMS is just one of the many fruits of her labor of love.
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