Special Feature

MARIA ADEODATA PISANI - A Benedictine Sister  By Fr. Alexander Bonnici O.F.M.Conv. H.E.D., S.Th.L., Ph.B.

On 29th December 1806, Terezina (later known as Maria Adeodata) was born in Naples to the Maltese Baron Benedict Pisani Mompalao and the Neapolitan Vincenza (nee' Carrano). Elizabeth Mamo Monpalao, the infant's grandmother cared for her and helped for a sound upbringing and education. In 1821, her father, being involved in some uprisings, was deported to Malta. Her mother longed to see her settled in married life. A young man came to Malta from Naples. He fell in love with the young daughter. Unfortunately he left her for another girl.

In 1825, she was brought to live at Rabat (Malta). She was rich and noble, hence it caught the attention of many
youngsters who desired to marry her. But she renounced to all these attractions. She rarely went out, except for church activities. Terezina often prayed at Saint Mark's church in front of the effigy of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Her mother continued to insist to her that she should marry. But Terezina in 1828 decided to join the cloistered Benedictine nuns of Saint Peter's Monastery at Mdina. From 1828 onwards, when she began her novitiate, her name was changed to Maria Adeodata.

In disposing of her property, she was fair because she was very generous to her father whose life continued to be difficult on account of his debts. But her mother, close relatives, and young men and women who were poor and had the vocation to become priests and nuns were among her beneficiaries. She set aside a substantial sum to be distributed among the poor.

M. Adeodata lived as a Benedictine nun in the monastery for 25 years. Her life was really consecrated to God in a perfect observance of a cloistered life. She lived a life of love also towards others because she strove to help, first of all, her fellow nuns. She retained the barest minimum to herself and with the consent of her superiors, gave the best of her belongings and a part of her daily food to the poor. She carried out all the work assigned to her without ever expecting any preferential treatment, althogh she was born in a wealthy family of noble origin.

Maria Adeodata, for two years (1851-1853), was the Abbess of the monastery. She did all that was possible in order not to accept the role of an abbess. Archbishop Sant judged that her humility was the best sign of her ability to that office. But then her bad health did not allow her to maintain that responsibility. She was showing symptoms of cardiac problems.

On the 25th February 1855, M. Adeodata went to the church to assist Mass and receive Holy Communion for the last time. There, she collapsed and was carried back to her room. The last rites were administered to her, and she died after kissing a crucifix she was clutching in her hands.

Pope Leo XIII in 1898 declared her "Venerable". M. Adeodata Pisani will be declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II on the 8th of May 2001.