Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano (1971-1990)

Who says youth of our day can’t be holy? Blessed Chiara proves they can . . .

Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano

Feast Day: October 29
Beatified: September 25, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI beatified Chiara “Luce” Badano on Sept. 25, 2010, just 20 years after her death. That should not surprise us, for she modeled a joyful, down-to-earth holiness much like that of Blessed Pier-Giorgio Frassati, another young saint.

Raised in a strong Catholic family in Sassello, Italy, Badano opened her heart to God as a child. As a teen she became very active in New Generation, Focolare’s youth movement, and at 16 she dedicated her life to Christ. Badano lived her Christian commitment as a normal teenager. She liked “hanging out” with her many friends. She loved sports and excelled at swimming, mountain climbing and tennis.

At 17, Badano was diagnosed with incurable bone cancer and was swept along a path of suffering that would test her faith and commitment. She passed with flying colors. Badano welcomed her excruciating pain as a participation in Christ’s suffering. Often she prayed, “For you Jesus, if you wish it, so do I.”

In July 1990, she wrote to Chiara Lubich, the founder of Focolare and a close friend, that she had decided to halt all treatments. Lubich encouraged the young saint not to be afraid and nicknamed her quite accurately “Luce,” that is, “Light.” One of her doctors observed that Badano’s eyes, full of light, joyfully declared the victory of life over death. A cardinal who visited her asked where the light in her eyes came from. She said, “I try to love Jesus as much as I can.”

Badano died at 18 years of age. She spoke her last words to her mother: “Goodbye. Be happy. I’m happy.” As Badano wished, she was buried in a wedding dress in anticipation of joining in the heavenly wedding feast.

For teaching resources (including a video) about Blessed Chiara from Living City magazine, click here.

This column is written for Legatus Magazine by Bert Ghezzi. He writes and speaks frequently about saints. Ghezzi’s books include “Voices of the Saints,” “Mystics and Miracles,” and “Saints at Heart.” Online: bertghezzi.com