(1827-1922) Anna Felecia Viti had an alcoholic father who was also a gambler, and when her mother died when she was 14, Anna raised her eight siblings, working as a domestic servant to support them. She joined the Benedictines at age 24, taking the name Sister Maria Fortunata. For over 70 years, she lived out a quiet life of work and prayer and remained devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. She never learned to read or write and never held a prominent position.
In the tradition of Saint Benedict, Blessed Maria Fotunata placed humility as the foundation of her religious life. Pope Saint Paul VI said at her beatification on October 8, 1967, “Humility: Maria Fortunata personifies this virtue. Her greatness is in this littleness.” When has another’s humility inspired you in recovery?
“With tears in her eyes, Sister Fortunata confided to me that the devil insulted her with the most vile and crude expressions. Often he threatened and made life difficult for her but she never despaired. These insults became all the more frequent when the Saint was near her death” (Father John Pasqualiti, confessor of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti).
Reflection by Brad Farmer