St. Rose Venerini was born in 1656 in Italy to a wealthy family. Rose spent time in a convent but left to take care of her widowed mother. She brought a group of women together in her home for prayer and soon realized many of these women needed religious instruction. With the guidance of Fr. Ignatius Martinelli, Rose found her true calling as a teacher of the world, instead of as a contemplative in a cloister. She organized many schools for girls across Italy. Rose felt called to provide for the education and Christian formation of women, and she persevered in her mission despite many hurdles. Today the order of women she founded is called the Venerini Sisters, and she was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Questions for Reflection:

• What specific gifts do you have that the world needs? What is your mission in the world? How can you live as God wishes more courageously?
• Have you ever felt called to go down a different path than you thought you would? How did you handle that change?