Saint Who?
Saints Who Took Detours in Life
Blessed Itala Mela
Laywoman († 1957) Feast: April 28
Itala was born in La Spezia, Italy. Her parents were atheists, but since they both worked full-time as teachers, she was primarily raised by her grandparents, who made sure she received her First Communion and Confirmation at the age of eleven. Five years later, her younger brother died suddenly. Shocked by his death, Itala lost her faith and poured all her energies into her studies.
At the age of eighteen, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, friends invited her to come to Mass. During that Mass, she simply asked God, “Lord, if you are there, make yourself known!” And he did.
After returning to confession, Itala joined an organization of Catholic college students and completed her university education. She tried to enter a religious order but was forced to leave due to heart problems. Instead, she worked as a teacher, became a Benedictine oblate, and took private vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and conversion of life. At the same time, she developed a remarkably deep prayer life. She went into spiritual ecstasies, received visions, and wrote about the spiritual life, particularly about the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the souls of Christians. Itala died at the age of fifty-two, surrounded by those she had inspired through her faith.
Most Holy Trinity, we beg you to make yourself
known to us in the ordinary events of life.
