Eurosia Fabris
Encyclopedia
Blessed Eurosia Fabris also known as Mamma Rosa, was best known to Catholics as a model of holiness in the daily life of a Catholic family. She gained some attention outside of the Catholic community in 2005 when the Vatican
started her on the process of canonization
. Some people have quipped that she might even become the "patron saint
of large families" because she had eleven children (two were adopted).
Eurosia Fabris was born to farmers Luigi and Maria Fabris on September 27, 1866 in Quinto Vicentino, a small, agricultural
area near the Italian
town of Vicenza
.
In 1870, at the age of four, she and her family moved to the nearby village of Marola, also in the Province of Vicenza
, where she lived for the rest of her life. She was able to attend school for only two years, between 1872 and 1874, because she needed to help her parents with farm work and domestic chores. However, she was still able to learn enough to read several religious texts in her youth, most notably the Bible
, the Catechism
, Church history, the Philothea of Saint Francis de Sales
, and the Eternal Maxims of Saint Alphonsus Liguori
.
When Fabris was twelve years old she made her first Holy Communion
, and received the Eucharist
from then on as often as permitted, which was only on religious feast days, since daily communion was only permitted to most Catholics following a decree of Pope Pius X
in 1905.
Fabris joined the Association of the Daughters of Mary in the parish
church of Marola and was a devoted member. She faithfully observed the practices of the group, and as time went on, she grew to express great love of Mary, the Mother of Jesus
. Her favorite devotions were to the Holy Spirit
, the infant Jesus
, the Cross of Christ, the Eucharist
, and the Virgin Mary, and praying for the souls in the Purgatory
. She was known as an agent of good will in her family, among her friends, and in her parish, where she taught catechism
to the children and sewing to the girls who came to her home.
proposals, as she was observed to be a dedicated, pious
, and hardworking woman. Fabris declined, however, as she did not at that time consider herself called
to marriage. In 1885, a tragic event occurred that would forever change her life. A young married woman near her home died leaving three young daughters. One of them died shortly after her mother. The other two, Chiara Angela and Italia were only 20 months old, and 2 months old, respectively. The children's father, Carlo Barban, was away caring for sick relatives. Fabris traveled to the home of these children every morning, for six months, to care for them and maintain their home.
After this act of charity, Fabris contemplated the events through prayer
, and, following the advice of her relatives and that of the parish priest, she decided to marry their father. Eurosia Fabris and Carlo Barban were married on May 5, 1886. She considered the marriage in terms of the sacrifices she would make and accepted this as the will of God
, whom she now felt was calling her, through her experience of caring for the two babies, to embrace a new mission. Fabris was known for the love and respect she apparently displayed towards her new husband, who thence considered her a confidante and adviser.
Fabris adopted the two orphan
ed girls and had nine more children of her own. She kept her home open to other children as well, who knew her as "Mamma Rosa." She dedicated her life to her family, teaching her children to pray
, to obey
, to respect the "will of God", and to practice Christian
virtues, reputedly sacrificing her own needs to do so. Her success in this regards is attested by the ordination of three of her sons as Catholic
priest
s, including Franciscan
friar Fr. Bernardino, who would become her first biographer.
. She emulated the strong women of the Bible
, and aimed to become a treasure to her family. It is reported in her biographies that, even in times of crisis, she managed to balance the family budget, while exercising great charity
towards the poor, especially towards orphans of World War I
. She cared for the sick and gave them continuous assistance, especially during the final illness and death her husband Carlo, in 1930.
Mamma Rosa became a member of the Franciscan Third Order, faithfully attending all their meetings, but above all tried to live the Franciscan rules of "poverty and self-denying labor in the cause of Christ." This she did by attempting to maintain a spirit of poverty and joy in her home, in the midst of her daily work and prayer
. She was known for her gentle manner with everyone, and praised God
as the "Creator and source of all good and the giver of all hope." Eurosia Fabris Barban died on January 8, 1932, and was buried in the church of Marola.
wished that Mamma Rosa's life were better known among all Christian families, and she was proclaimed Venerable
on July 7, 2003 by Pope John Paul II
. In 2004, a miracle was officially recognized by the Catholic Church as having come through her intervention; she is said to have healed a sick woman thought by doctors to be beyond recovery. On February 7, 2005, the process of canonization
was initiated at the Diocesan curia of Padova, after some initial difficulties promoting the cause. She was promoted in November 2005 to the status of Blessed
, the next step on the path to Sainthood.
of Vicenza, who co-presided with Cardinal Saraiva Martins at her Beatification said in his homily
that "Mother Rosa represents a model of sanctity accessible to everyone...." Some outside sources say that the Catholic Church wishes to use Eurosia Fabris as a role model
in order to encourage them and all people in the world to have more children. The Associated Press
reported: "The average number of children per woman in the European Union is 1.5, according to EU
statistics, but in some countries, including heavily Roman Catholic Italy
and Spain
, the average is 1.3. [Pope] Benedict has described large families as useful witnesses to 'faith, courage and optimism' in society."
Some controversy surrounds this ideology, with some citing world overpopulation
and the eventual depletion of essential natural resources
. However, the notion of overpopulation as a threat is itself a matter of dispute.
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
started her on the process of canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
. Some people have quipped that she might even become the "patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of large families" because she had eleven children (two were adopted).
Early life
What is known about the life of Eurosia Fabris comes from the testimonies given by people she knew, as compiled by the investigation committee for her process of beatification.Eurosia Fabris was born to farmers Luigi and Maria Fabris on September 27, 1866 in Quinto Vicentino, a small, agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
area near the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
town of Vicenza
Vicenza
Vicenza , a city in north-eastern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione...
.
In 1870, at the age of four, she and her family moved to the nearby village of Marola, also in the Province of Vicenza
Province of Vicenza
The Province of Vicenza is a province in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Its capital city is Vicenza.The province has an area of 2,723 km², and a total population of 840,000 . There are 121 comuni in the province...
, where she lived for the rest of her life. She was able to attend school for only two years, between 1872 and 1874, because she needed to help her parents with farm work and domestic chores. However, she was still able to learn enough to read several religious texts in her youth, most notably the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, the Catechism
Roman Catechism
During the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Council of Trent commissioned the Roman Catechism to expound doctrine and to improve the theological understanding of the clergy...
, Church history, the Philothea of Saint Francis de Sales
Francis de Sales
Francis de Sales was Bishop of Geneva and is a Roman Catholic saint. He worked to convert Protestants back to Catholicism, and was an accomplished preacher...
, and the Eternal Maxims of Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Alphonsus Liguori
Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, scholastic philosopher and theologian, and founder of the Redemptorists, an influential religious congregation...
.
When Fabris was twelve years old she made her first Holy Communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, and received the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
from then on as often as permitted, which was only on religious feast days, since daily communion was only permitted to most Catholics following a decree of Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
in 1905.
Fabris joined the Association of the Daughters of Mary in the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
church of Marola and was a devoted member. She faithfully observed the practices of the group, and as time went on, she grew to express great love of Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. Her favorite devotions were to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
, the infant Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, the Cross of Christ, the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, and the Virgin Mary, and praying for the souls in the Purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
. She was known as an agent of good will in her family, among her friends, and in her parish, where she taught catechism
Roman Catechism
During the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Council of Trent commissioned the Roman Catechism to expound doctrine and to improve the theological understanding of the clergy...
to the children and sewing to the girls who came to her home.
Family life
Eighteen-year old Fabris, commonly known as "Rosina," received several marriageMarriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
proposals, as she was observed to be a dedicated, pious
Piety
In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue that can mean religious devotion, spirituality, or a combination of both. A common element in most conceptions of piety is humility.- Etymology :...
, and hardworking woman. Fabris declined, however, as she did not at that time consider herself called
Vocation
A vocation , is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.-Senses:...
to marriage. In 1885, a tragic event occurred that would forever change her life. A young married woman near her home died leaving three young daughters. One of them died shortly after her mother. The other two, Chiara Angela and Italia were only 20 months old, and 2 months old, respectively. The children's father, Carlo Barban, was away caring for sick relatives. Fabris traveled to the home of these children every morning, for six months, to care for them and maintain their home.
After this act of charity, Fabris contemplated the events through prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
, and, following the advice of her relatives and that of the parish priest, she decided to marry their father. Eurosia Fabris and Carlo Barban were married on May 5, 1886. She considered the marriage in terms of the sacrifices she would make and accepted this as the will of God
God the Father
God the Father is a gendered title given to God in many monotheistic religions, particularly patriarchal, Abrahamic ones. In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, life-giver, law-giver, and protector...
, whom she now felt was calling her, through her experience of caring for the two babies, to embrace a new mission. Fabris was known for the love and respect she apparently displayed towards her new husband, who thence considered her a confidante and adviser.
Fabris adopted the two orphan
Orphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
ed girls and had nine more children of her own. She kept her home open to other children as well, who knew her as "Mamma Rosa." She dedicated her life to her family, teaching her children to pray
Pray
Pray may refer to:* Prayer, an active effort to communicate with a deity or spiritIt may also refer to:-Places:Italy* Pray, Piedmont, a comune in the Province of BiellaUnited States* Pray, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community-People:...
, to obey
Obedience
The term obedience can refer to:* Obedience ** The educational film Obedience about the Milgram experiment on obedience to authority figures* Vow of obedience as an evangelical counsel* Obedience training for dogs...
, to respect the "will of God", and to practice Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
virtues, reputedly sacrificing her own needs to do so. Her success in this regards is attested by the ordination of three of her sons as Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s, including Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
friar Fr. Bernardino, who would become her first biographer.
Devotional life and charity
Mamma Rosa reputedly lived an intense life of prayerPrayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
. She emulated the strong women of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, and aimed to become a treasure to her family. It is reported in her biographies that, even in times of crisis, she managed to balance the family budget, while exercising great charity
Charity (virtue)
In Christian theology charity, or love , means an unlimited loving-kindness toward all others.The term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word charity to mean benevolent giving.- Caritas: altruistic love :...
towards the poor, especially towards orphans of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. She cared for the sick and gave them continuous assistance, especially during the final illness and death her husband Carlo, in 1930.
Mamma Rosa became a member of the Franciscan Third Order, faithfully attending all their meetings, but above all tried to live the Franciscan rules of "poverty and self-denying labor in the cause of Christ." This she did by attempting to maintain a spirit of poverty and joy in her home, in the midst of her daily work and prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
. She was known for her gentle manner with everyone, and praised God
God the Father
God the Father is a gendered title given to God in many monotheistic religions, particularly patriarchal, Abrahamic ones. In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, life-giver, law-giver, and protector...
as the "Creator and source of all good and the giver of all hope." Eurosia Fabris Barban died on January 8, 1932, and was buried in the church of Marola.
Beatification
Pope Pius XIIPope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
wished that Mamma Rosa's life were better known among all Christian families, and she was proclaimed Venerable
Venerable
The Venerable is used as a style or epithet in several Christian churches. It is also the common English-language translation of a number of Buddhist titles.-Roman Catholic:...
on July 7, 2003 by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. In 2004, a miracle was officially recognized by the Catholic Church as having come through her intervention; she is said to have healed a sick woman thought by doctors to be beyond recovery. On February 7, 2005, the process of canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
was initiated at the Diocesan curia of Padova, after some initial difficulties promoting the cause. She was promoted in November 2005 to the status of Blessed
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
, the next step on the path to Sainthood.
Catholic role model and controversy
Bishop Cesare NosigliaCesare Nosiglia
Cesare Nosiglia is the current archbishop of Turin since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 October 2010.Nosiglia was born in 1944 in Rossiglione, Italy. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Acqui on 29 June 1968 at the age of 23. Nosiglia was sent to Rome for further studies in...
of Vicenza, who co-presided with Cardinal Saraiva Martins at her Beatification said in his homily
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
that "Mother Rosa represents a model of sanctity accessible to everyone...." Some outside sources say that the Catholic Church wishes to use Eurosia Fabris as a role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
in order to encourage them and all people in the world to have more children. The Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
reported: "The average number of children per woman in the European Union is 1.5, according to EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
statistics, but in some countries, including heavily Roman Catholic Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the average is 1.3. [Pope] Benedict has described large families as useful witnesses to 'faith, courage and optimism' in society."
Some controversy surrounds this ideology, with some citing world overpopulation
Overpopulation
Overpopulation is a condition where an organism's numbers exceed the carrying capacity of its habitat. The term often refers to the relationship between the human population and its environment, the Earth...
and the eventual depletion of essential natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
. However, the notion of overpopulation as a threat is itself a matter of dispute.
External links
- Eurosia Fabris - Vatican website
- USAToday - Article about Beatification ceremony
- Eurosia Fabris - Patron Saints Index