Today is the Feast Day of my Parish's patroness, St. Cecilia. I am really looking forward to the Mass we will be celebrating this evening in honor of the day. I did a post on St. Cecilia 8 years ago and, on principle, I do not repeat Saints. So, today I will share the story of one of St. Cecilia's namesakes.
Cecilia Eusepi was born in Italy on February 17, 1910. She was the youngest in a family of 11 children. Her father died just a few months later of illness. On his deathbed, he entrusted his wife and children to the care of his brother-in-law. Cecilia grew up on her uncle's farm and was educated at a convent school run by Cistercian Nuns. In 1922, she joined the Servite order as a secular member and also became a member of Catholic Action.
In 1923, Cecilia received permission to join the Servite Order as a postulant despite the objections of her mother and uncle. She studied in Rome, Pistoia and Zara., but she had to go home in 1926 when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Her illness ended her hopes of becoming a missionary. During her final illness, her religious practice was a comfort to members of the Catholic Action movement as well as Seminarians and Priests who often visited her and asked for her opinions. It was at this time that she met Servite Priest Gabriele Roschini who became her confessor and spiritual director. She began to keep a journal on his instructions and continued it until just weeks before her death.
At the end of her life, Cecilia dreamt of St. Therese of Lisieux and predicted the date of her death - October 1, 1928. She was beatified on June 17, 2012. She is a patron of Servite tertiaries. Her feast day is Oct 1. Blessed Cecilia Eusepi, pray for us.
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