CAPITANIO, BARTOLOMEA, ST.

Cofoundress of the sisters of charity of Lovere; b. Lovere, Lombardy, Italy, Jan. 13, 1807; d. Lovere, July 26, 1833. At the age of 11 she entered the convent of the Poor Clares in Lovere, but she returned to her family in 1824, and in her home opened a school for youth. She received spiritual and practical guidance from Don Angelo Bosio. Her inclination led her to forgo entering the Poor Clares. At Lovere in 1826 she started a hospital, where she was prodigiously active as directress and in other positions, even tending the sick in their own homes. By her letters, about 300 of which are extant, she continued to counsel the youth of Lovere and neighboring towns. Local pastors esteemed this correspondence very highly. Her writings include also many devotional pieces; programs for pious associations; prayers for various feasts; and norms for life, even for priests. In the spiritual combat she fought especially against pride. Bartolomea conceived a religious institution dedicated to all types of charitable work. After she and Vincenza gerosa had dedicated themselves completely to God (Nov. 21, 1832), they founded the first house of the new congregation. The youngest among religious foundresses, she died the following year. She was beatified on May 30, 1926; and canonized, together with Vincenza Gerosa, on May 22, 1950.

Feast: July 26.

Bibliography: s. c. lorit, Bartolomea Capitanio (Rome 1982). l. mazza, Della vita e dell'Istituto della venerabile Bartolomea Capitanio, 5 v. (Modena 1905). a. stocchetti, Le Sante Bartolomea Capitanio e Vincenza Gerosa (Vicenza 1950).

[m. c. bianchi]