Santina Campana
The Angel of Pescina
September's featured holy person died at just 21-years-old, but despite of her youth, Santina Campana achieved a level of spiritual and mystical maturity rare for one so young. She was born on February 2, 1929, in the Italian town of Alfedena to a highly devout Catholic family; the 7th child of Giuseppe and Margherita Campana.
To the credit of Santina's worthy parents, she had 2 older brothers who entered the priesthood and 3 sisters who became nuns! Santina, herself, from a tender age was unusually prayerful, taking as a role-model St. Therese the Little Flower (d. 1897). By the time she made her First Holy Communion at 7, she was already fasting and performing acts of voluntary mortification (she wore a cilice during Lent); even going so far as to offer herself to Jesus as a "victim soul" for the sanctification of her consecrated siblings. She was recorded as once stating: "Where there is a vocation, there cannot be a lack of a victim".
In 1943, when the Servant of God was just 14, she was reportedly stigmatized in an invisible manner. At around this time the Campana Family was forced to relocate to Abruzzo and then to Molise because of bombings in the wake of World War II. Santina was not only undergoing the pain of the wounds of Christ, but she was also afflicted with chronic respitory issues caused by pleurisy, which only worsened over time due to inadequate care.
In the face of her moral and physical challenges, the teenager displayed admirable calm and peace; consciously offering her pains for the spiritual benefit of the Pope, bishops, priests, and the Missions. She was also a source of consolation for those around her and was once quoted as saying: "Courage, it will be what the Lord wants: if He does not allow it, no one will be able to harm us".
Inspite of her precarious health, Santina was a member of the Catholic Action association beginning from her time in Alfedena, and was an active parishioner in her local church.
In addition to her devotion to St. Therese, Santina also admired the French foundress, St. Jeanne Antide Thouret (d. 1826). As such, she sought admission with the Sisters of Charity named after St. Jeanne and was accepted in June 1945; she entered the congregation's house in Rome in October of the same year at 16-years-old. Her goal was simple: "I will be a nun and a saint".
In the convent, Santina's suffering of the hidden Stigmata became somewhat visible in 1946, the year following her entry. It was reported that on several occasions, she exhibited ecstatic states during which she sweat blood.
The young novice's plans at being a nun did not come to pass as she had hoped. In 1947, Santina was diagnosed with dreaded tuberculosis after coughing up blood. She left the novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne Antide Thouret for treatment in a sanatorium in Pescina. Unfortunately, she never got better.
In the sanatorium, Santina progressively grew worse but continued to minister the best she could to the other patients and visitors. She even formed and led a Catholic Action club from her bed, which she joyfully referred to as her "white throne" ... while continuing to offer sacrifices for the clergy and souls. By her example of faith, patience, and resignation to God's will, Santina encouraged the other sanatorium residents in their own trials, often exorting them, as well: "Courage, suffering passes". She was affectionately referred to as the "Angel of Pescina".
Santina succumbed to tuberculosis on October 4, 1950. She was lucid in her final hours while being assisted by her brother - Fr. Bruno Campana. She was 21-years-old when she passed and was initially buried in the cemetery of Pescina. However, because of the reverence for her memory maintained by the locals, her remains were transferred to a tomb in the town's parish church of San Giuseppe in 1967.
Above: Santina in death
Below: Her tomb in the parish
church of Pescina
Santina Campana's Cause for Canonization was officially opened in 1979 and is currently active. Please join this ministry in praying for her speedy Canonization.
"God alone, as my goal; Jesus as my model;
Mary as my guide; the Angel as my help;
I, always in sacrifice".
- Santina's Personal Motto
A relic of Santina's clothing
in this ministry's custody
Santina Campana, pray for us!
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