Rome (Italy). On 3 September 1907, in Turin, at the age of just 29, Sister Teresa Valsè Pantellini FMA died (1878 – 1907). She was declared venerable on 12 July 1986, by Saint John Paul II.
Of this young FMA we can highlight many aspects that deserved, among other things, to have as her biographer the same Ferdinando Maccono, who was also that of Saint Mary Mazzarello. Certainly, however, what stands out above all is her ability to welcome girls as they were, without being intimidated by abusive or even violent behavior.
Some oratorians testified:
“On a Sunday afternoon, four or five girls who had never been seen before entered the courtyard of the oratory [in Rome, Trastevere]. Sister Teresa was not there because she was very ill and the Superior had told her to retire. But not a quarter of an hour had passed, that while they were talking to a Sister, they suddenly tore off her veil.
The older ones of us, who saw the vile act, ran to defend the Sister and a quarrel broke out. Someone ran into the street to call the guards and they came and were about to take away those bullies, when Sister Teresa, warned of the sad event, came down in haste and said:
“No, no, no! We must not let those girls be taken to prison, because the Lord sent them here to make them good” and she ran to the doorkeeper to call off the guards. However, due both to her anxiety and the little running she had done, she passed out and fell. She was helped up and accompanied to her room.
During the week, she informed herself about those girls and managed to approach some of them. She learned that they had been sent to the Oratory by evil people who had promised to give them twenty-five lire if they would tear off the veil and headpiece of one of the Sisters. They had accomplished that ‘cool’ feat. Sister Teresa took care of them. She looked for work for them, accepted one into the workroom, and gradually managed to put all of them on the right track.”
Other Sisters confirm. Sister Tullia De Berardinis wrote, “Sometimes, I complained about the conduct of the girls, and she would say, “You have to pity them; they are poor girls abandoned by all and exposed to so many dangers! We thank the Lord that they come to the Oratory, and you will see that in time they will become good. Let us recommend them to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to Our Lady.”
And Sister Octavia Clerici, “In front of any affront and difficulties of the girls, she always defended them saying, ‘Out of a hundred slights or whims, eighty do not know how to do them’.”
What sustained a young woman from an affluent family with health problems doing in this commitment of dedication to God and to the education of the poorest?
A beautiful study by Sister Piera Ruffinatto, Dean of the Pontifical Faculty of Education Science “Auxilium”, presents her educative spirituality, “Centered on Love”.
