10 Facts About Armida Barelli

Armida Barelli was an Italian Roman Catholic who served in the educational field during her life and was a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Armida Barelli was born into the upper class on 1 December 1882 in Milan to Napoleon Barelli and Savina Candiani; her siblings were brothers Gino and Fausto and sisters Maria, Gemma, and Vittoria.

Armida Barelli studied in Milan under the Ursulines and then travelled to Menzingen in Switzerland where she studied in a boarding school under the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Cross from 1895 to 1900.

Armida Barelli became a professed member of the order in 1910.

Armida Barelli came to the attention of the Cardinal Archbishop of Milan Andrea Carlo Ferrari who recognized her for her organizational skills and her moral qualities.

Armida Barelli met with Ferrari in a private audience on 17 February 1918 and later that year selected as her motto: "I trust You" as an expression of trust in God.

Armida Barelli later became the Vice President for Social Action of the Milan Committee of Catholic Women and served as the administrator of the "Life and Thought" publication.

Armida Barelli opened a home for the poor in northern China as well as an institute for religious vocations in 1920 and in 1921 founded the "Ring of Resurrection" magazine.

Armida Barelli was buried on the following 17 August in Marzio and her remains were transferred to Milan on 8 March 1953.

Armida Barelli was proclaimed to be Venerable on 1 June 2007 after Pope Benedict XVI recognized her model Christian life of heroic virtue.