PRAYER AND GOOD WORKS- A NEW SAINT FOR LAYWOMEN

Woman at Prayer - Edgar Maxence ( French- d. 1954)

On February 18, it was announced from the Vatican, that a lay woman is being considered for canonization. SERVANT of GOD  ENRICA ONORANTE was a wife and mother who became known for her charitable work with developing countries.  I could find nothing about her either in Italian or English, but am sure there will be more information soon.

While her life, from childhood, was marked by a number of trials, she was known to face them  always trusting in the Lord.  A profound life of prayer enabled her to internalize her physical and moral suffering and spurred her to offer herself as a ‘living victim’, wholly abandoning herself to God’s will.

Enrica became best known for her work as secretary for the Third World Help Committee of the Italian Episcopal Conference, which provided aid to various developing countries around the world.

Discrete, attentive and always ready to welcome in order to serve, she made herself available for any task to further the mission of the Church. With a truly ‘maternal’ style, she encouraged many men and women religious and priests from around the world in their pastoral work, thereby earning their esteem and affection.

Her reputation for holiness and charity spread, and there is even an “Enrica Onorante Home” for impoverished children and their families named after her in Beira, Mozambique.

Edgar Maxence

She died only in 2008 and is already being considered for canonization, as an example to all of the good we can do for those not so fortunate either through our prayer, our good works or both.