2021-22 Patron Saint Nominee--Blessed Chiara Luce Badano

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano was born in Sassello, northern Italy, on 29 October 1971, an only child.

Always peaceful and full of joy, Chiara played tennis, loved music and participated in a youth group, doing outreach to the poor and homeless.

She lived life to the full, not caring what others thought of her but only wanting to please Jesus. She said: 

 “What matters is to be beautiful inside”.

At 16, when she was diagnosed with bone cancer, she did not despair. She continued to love, often going round the hospital cheering up other patients. Her faith in God was unwavering and she was not afraid of dying, telling those who questioned her “God loves me immensely!”

As she had already often declared, she was only interested in “obeying God’s will out of love: playing His game!” She had complete trust in him and encouraged her mum to do the same, telling her “When I’m not here anymore, just trust in God and go on!”

She asked to be buried in a wedding dress as she was going to be meeting her beloved Jesus.

 Her final words were, “Bye, mum. Be happy, because I am.”

Chiara was beatified on September 25, 2010. 

Here is what a teenager has said about her:

Chiara was just an average teenage girl who lived from 1971-1990. The exceptional thing about her was her deep love for God and how massively it transformed her. She is a wonderful example of how even though faith and relationship with God doesn’t stop suffering, it does bring joy into all aspects of life, even those which we hope never to experience.