Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu
Trappistine Nun (
1939 Anno Domini A.D.) Feast: 22 April
Maria Gabriella was born to a poor family in Sardinia . Her move toward religious life began at 14, following the death of a beloved sister 
Afterward she became active in Youth Catholic Action & then, at the age of 20, entered a Trappistine abbey near Rome 
Maria 's spiritual life was regulated by the disciplines of Trappist life. But in one respect she felt an unusual & distinctive mission: to dedicate her prayer & sacrifices for the cause of Christian unity. Though her abbess shared her commitment to ecumenism, this was not a popular cause among Catholics of the time. Nevertheless, Maria felt a special conviction that division among Christians was a wound in the very heart of Christ 
Maria wished that everyone might "turn to God & for his kingdom to be established in every heart." Falling ill at the age of 23, Maria offered her life for the cause of unity, inspired by the prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John , "that they all might be one." She died on April 23, 1939 A.D. She was beatified in 1983 A.D.
"Sister Maria Gabriella , called by her vocation to be apart from the world, devoted her life to meditation & prayer 
centered on chapter 17 of Saint John 's Gospel , & offered her life for Christian unity…[Her] example is instructive; it helps us to understand that there are no special times, situations or places of prayer for unity. Christ's prayer to the Father is offered as a model for everyone, always & everywhere."
Pope John Paul II , "Ut Unum Sint"
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