Blessed Chiara Luce Badano was a remarkable young Italian woman. Her life and legacy continue to inspire Catholics young and old around the world.
She was known for her deep love for God, as an incredible friend to others, and for having a vibrant spirit. She is also considered the patron saint of youth, athletes, and cancer patients.
Today, we can look to Chiara Luce Badano as an example of embracing our faith no matter the circumstances.
Here are nine things to know and share about Blessed Chiara Luce Badano:
1. Chiara Luce Badano was born in Italy on Oct. 29, 1971.
2. The Focolare Movement helped her rediscover the love of God as a young girl.
3. Chiara skated and played tennis. She also enjoyed the mountains and spending time at the beach.
4. She had a unique ability to listen to others' doubts and struggles. Her many friends would often confide in her.
5. When faced with hardships or failures, Chiara would say:
“I can always start over.”
6. Chiara was diagnosed with a tumor (osteogenic sarcoma with metastases) at 17 years old. She was left immobile and often confined to her bedroom. However, she lived her ordinary days for Jesus amid her suffering.
“For you, Jesus: if you want this, so do I!” - Chiara Luce Badano
7. Chiara received the Eucharist every day until her death.
8. She prepared for her death as she would for a wedding.
Her last words to her mother were:
“Mom, Ciao! Be happy, because I am.”
9. She was proclaimed “Blessed” by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. During World Youth Day in 2012, he said,
“[...]Chiara Badano (1971-1990), who was recently beatified. She experienced how pain could be transfigured by love and mysteriously steeped in joy. At the age of eighteen, while suffering greatly from cancer, Chiara prayed to the Holy Spirit and interceded for the young people of the movement to which she belonged. As well as praying for her own cure, she asked God to enlighten all those young people by his Spirit and to give them wisdom and light.
“The key to her peace and joy was her complete trust in the Lord and the acceptance of her illness as a mysterious expression of his will for her sake and that of everyone. She often said: ‘Jesus, if you desire it, then I desire it too’.”