Life
She lived in Italy between 1861 and 1930. She was generous in offering her entire self to Jesus. She was loving and open and creatively responded to all those in need.
Work
She built a work of love which has extended to the continents of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa: the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded in 1894 in the city of Viareggio (Lucca) Italy.
Spirituality
Always following the example of Jesus, she courageously offered herself and, like the grain of wheat which must fall to the earth and die before it bears fruit, Mother Clelia gave her life to the Institute. She lovingly lived her life for a Heart greater than her own: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom she served and sacrificed herself.
A WOMAN OF PRAYER AND FAITH WHO DEEPLY LOVED THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS!
Clelia Merloni was born in Italy on March 10, 1861. As she matured, she became more attracted to prayer and solitude than to the elite social life and administration of the family business that her father wanted for her.
She knew from an early age that following her father’s footsteps in the family business was not the journey her life would take. Intelligent, gifted, and enthusiastic, she responded generously to God’s call by choosing consecrated religious life.
Blessed Clelia Merloni
Catecheses
THE TEACHINGS OF MOTHER CLELIA
Blessed Clelia’s words offer a sure direction to progress on the journey of love towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus and towards all those with whom we share life’s experiences.
11 June 2018
Download: THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS IN THE LIFE OF MOTHER CLELIA MERLONI “The Cross is a sign of the chosen, a pledge of […]
03 May 2018
Download: THE BLESSED MOTHER IN THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF MOTHER CLELIA MERLONI “I implore upon you the maternal blessing of Most Holy Mary […]
04 April 2018
Download: THE REPARATION IN THE LIFE OF MOTHER CLELIA “When divine love takes possession of a heart, it awakens in it a great desire to […]
21 February 2018
Download: THE EUCHARIST AND THE SACRED HEART IN THE LIVE OF MOTHER CLELIA ”I leave you at the feet of Jesus in the Blessed […]
Footsteps of Blessed Clelia Merloni
“Walk with giant steps on the road to holiness.”
Testimonials
GRACES RECEIVED
“Trust in the Heart of Jesus and miracles you will witness, if necessary!”
Secretary of the Cause of Canonization
Have you received a grace through the intercession of Blessed Clelia Merloni?
Ardor of Faith and Charity
CLELIAN CHARISM
The charism of Blessed Clelia Merloni has its origin in the wounded Heart of Christ on the Cross, that symbol for all humanity of the Love of God who gave His Son for the redemption of the world.
Apostles Like the First Apostles
In choosing the title “Apostles,” Mother Clelia hoped to instill in her daughters the apostolic fervor of the first Apostles. Every Apostle is called to follow in the footsteps of Christ, according to the example of the Apostles, witnesses of the redemption of Christ, scattered throughout the world, animated solely by the desire to make Jesus known and loved.
Apostle of Love
To be an Apostle of Love means to be willing to witness to the love of the Heart of Jesus, always and everywhere, by her words and with her very life. She is called to live intensely the experience of love in the Heart of Christ through a life of union with Him and in accordance with his Gospel.
Apostle of Reparation
Reparation is an expression of great love for God and his people in response to the Church’s teaching. It was the hallmark of Mother Clelia’s spiritual journey. This reparative spirituality delineated every aspect of her life of consecration and the mission that flowed from it. The Apostle becomes fully alive if she allows herself to become imbued with the same ardent passionate love for humankind that burns in the Heart of Christ. The Apostle responds to the sufferings of humanity wounded by the evils of the world. “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it…” (1 Cor 12:26).