 A Holy Person for the Month of March
Sister Carmelina Tarantino
Born Liveri, Italy Died March 21, 1992
Issue: Offering support and comfort.
- Carmelina arrived in Toronto in July 1964 seeking medical treatment for an aggressive form of cancer. She was admitted to hospital permanently in 1969 with a life expectancy of six months. Yet eight years later in 1977 she made her profession of faith and became a Passionist Sister of the Cross.
- During her long time of suffering in hospital she became a source of comfort, guidance and inspiration to the hundreds she welcomed to her hospital room or on the phone. People came seeking help with all the problems which arise in life, including marriage, children, health, addictions.
- “The true miracle is that a simple person, immobilized in bed, incapable of going to visit those who are suffering, becomes the bread of the spirit for many who are hungry of God and who do not know where to meet Him. They met Him at the mystery of the Cross that smiled at them from a hospital bed.” Fr. John Carparelli.
- “ The atmosphere in room 306 had a serene peace about it. In spite of her own suffering, the severity of her illness and the discomfort caused by her surgeries, Sister Carmelina would not refuse anybody anything at any time, if you were in need she was there” Deacon Joseph Digrado.
- On July 11th 2007 the process for beatification and eventual canonization for Sister Carmelina was begun.
* Both quotations taken from an article by Caitlin Badger. A Saint in Our Own Times, Catholic Register 7/20/07.
SEE
- Through our own difficulties, pain and illness we often have the opportunity to offer support and comfort to others.
JUDGE
- Is this what we are being called to do by Our Lord from His own cross of pain?
- Do people avoid us when we suffer because we tend to lay some of it on them?
- Do they leave us feeling a little better because of the faith they have seen in us?
- Or is it because of some little cheer and comfort we have been able to offer them?
ACT
- Most of us do not have the degree of faith, wisdom and strength shown by Sr. Carmelina. But having seen her example we can pray for God’s help to do much the same as Sr. Carmelina to the best of our ability in our own times of trial.
- We can also offer loving, cheerful and prayerful support to those now in sickness or distress.
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