ST. BARTOLOMEA CAPITANIO

The Institute of the Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (SCCG) also known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina had its origin in Lovere, Italy. It was founded by a young girl of 26 named Bartolomea Capitanio in 21st November1832. Bartolomea’s inspiration to found an Institute took shape because of her deep love for God and through her involvement in the actual situation of the people of Lovere – her native town.

Bartolomea was born at Lovere to Modesto Capitanio and Catherina Canossi on the 13th of January 1807. She had two brothers and four sisters, who apart from Camilla all died in infancy causing deep sorrow above all to their mother. Her father ran a business dealing in grain and also a small grocery shop. It was enough to support the family and also to finance some charitable donations. Her mother educated her daughters with care and also a deep Christian faith and Bartolmea grew up to be lively and good. Her mother decided to send her to the boarding school of the sisters of Poor Clares at the age of 11 where she acquired a deep piety. She finished her education with the sisters of Poor Clares when she was about 18. Having studied in the boarding school of the Poor Clares, she acquired a deep piety under the ever-vigilant Mother Francesca Parpani. “I want to be a Saint, a great saint and a saint soon” were the words she uttered at the age of 7 at the ‘Game of Straws’ after getting the longest straw.

Her heart ached for the suffering world with the poor children unwanted roaming on the streets, the aimless youth, the sick, the old and unattended. So she opened a school for girls in her own house and also started to gather the young and care for them. She went around visiting the old, the sick & the prisoners. Jesus was the source of her strength and power.

After years of prayer and reflection, at the age of 26, she, along with another companion, Catherine Gerosa took the vows to offer themselves completely to God and to devote themselves to the service of the poor, the homeless, the widows, the orphans as well as those in need of service. Soon she felt called and approached Fr. Angelo Bosio, her spiritual Director for help.

Her spiritual Director Don Angelo Bosio sensed the working of the Spirit in her and guided her in her spiritual Journey. He urged her to note down all the inspirations she received. This resulted in the inspired document now called ‘the Foundation Document” which forms the basis of the present Rule of Life. She wrote: “The Institute which will be founded in Lovere is to be totally founded on charity and this must be its principle aim…should have as its aim the education of poor young girls…devote itself to the relief of the sick.” In this way she outlined a MISSION which, though starting as a personal response to the needs of her environment was deeply rooted in charity and as such destined to be kept up and to spread beyond the bounds of Lovere. The approval of the Bishop of Brescia, Gabrio Nava allowed Fr. Angelo Bosio and the parish priest, Father Rusticiano Barboglio to buy a house.

Bartolomea was helped in her project by Catherine Gerosa, a simple, rich, charitable lady of Lovere. Together they consecrated themselves to God in a simple ceremony on 21 November 1832 in the presence of Fr. Rusticiano and Fr. Angelo Bosio at the altar of the parish church of St. George entered the small house Casa Gaia. This came to be known as the "Conventino"(small convent) from where the congregation’s work began. Thus, was born the ‘Society of the Sisters of Charity’. Bartolomea’s strong determined spirit inspires this house to aim at higher ideals and to serve humanity. Bartolomea was called to her eternal reward on 26th July 1833 eight months after founding the Congregation. It was left to Catherine Gerosa, under the able guidance of Don Angelo Bosio to carry on the work begun.

Vincenza Geroza

Maria Caterina Francesca Gerosa was born on 29th October, 1784 in Lovere to Gianantonio Gerosa her father and Giacomina Macario her mother. Caterina was eldest of four girls of her three sisters, one died at the age of three Rosa died on 18th November 1829 and Francesca died at the age of seventeen. She had three uncles, Amrogio Gerosa, Luigi Gerosa and Francesco Gerosa. She had two aunts, Maria Gerosa and Bartolomea Gerosa. As a youngster, she often witnessed unpleasant situations within the family concerning business, but bore everything with great patience and co-operated with everyone with a determined spirit. She was united to God in the midst of daily occupation. She spent much time morning and evening in church and tried to pay visits to the Blessed Sacrament during the day. She Used to shut the door and prayed in her room with Rosa, till about midnight. Catherine had tremendous inner strength to bear up all hardships with tranquility of mind as she drew spiritual strength from Jesus Crucified and she says “The One Who knows The Crucified Lord Knows Everything The One Who Doesn’t Know, Knows Nothing”.

Caterine was known as the lady of ‘Charity’. She used to save money and foodstuffs to give to the poor. Caterine became involved in her Church parish, organizing a women’s oratory with meetings and retreats, and founding a practical school to teach the poor girls of the community domestic work so as to improve their station in life. In one of these meetings, about the same time Catherine Gerosa who had lost her family in rapid succession was left alone to manage the family business. In course of time Bartolomea proposed to her to join her in founding an Institute, the aim of which would be 'Service of Charity'.

When many of her family members passed away leaving her great family wealth, embarked on a new mission to start a hospital to care for those who could not afford medical care. She converted one of her houses into a hospital where Bartolomea was appointed superintendent. She used her family’s money to provide charitable works in the community. She opened a house in her own home for the young girls in view of teaching them stitching & other useful skills. On 21st November, she left their own houses, dear ones and came to live together in a house called 'Casa Gaia ', which was the first house of the 'Sisters of Charity '. They vowed to live poor, to remain virgins & to spend themselves in the works of charity after the example of Jesus the Redeemer. Catherina Gerosa took the name of Sister Vincenza, in honor of St. Vincent de Paul. When Bartolomea died at the age of 26, Sr. Vincenza Gerosa took up the responsibility of the Institute. Sr. Vincenza was elected Mother Superior and went on to serve as Sister Vincenza. She along with Fr. Bosio introduced their charitable service in prisons and went on to build hospitals for the needy. She died on 29 June 1847 after a long illness and was succeeded by Sister Crocifissa Rivellini. Bartolomea and Vincenza were both canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in the year 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Gerosa's courage & selfless spirit spur on the members of this house to bring life and light to others.