Venerable Mariangela Virgili

Mariangela Virgili (September 8, 1661, Ronciglione – November 10, 1734, Ronciglione) was an Italian laywoman of the Third Order of Carmel and a mystic. As a young girl, she wished to become a nun, but her family was too poor to provide the dowry required for her entry into a convent. During her adolescence, she had to work to support her family, but a few years later, she became blind and could no longer work. She remained without sight for 11 years before being "miraculously" cured. Having regained her sight, she resumed her domestic duties and developed charitable works for the poor. Mariangela joined the Third Order of Carmel in 1700. She then developed intense charitable activities for orphans and young women considered "wayward" at the time, welcoming and housing them in her home. She brought in various religious men and women to establish schools to provide education for poor children, particularly girls. She also assisted and supported the sick in the hospital as well as prisoners. Unable to enter a convent, she transformed her room into a Carmelite cell and lived in her home as a nun would in a convent. A great mystic, she was credited with several miracles by her fellow citizens, and many people came to consult her and seek her advice. Her death in 1734 gave rise to strong popular devotion, with people regarding her as a saint. Her beatification process began in 1778 but was interrupted by the political turmoil of the French Revolution. When the process resumed, the Holy Office issued a veto, blocking its continuation. Pope John Paul II lifted the Holy Office's veto in 1993. Since then, the beatification process has continued.