Chiara Luce Badano
1. 1971. Chiara Badano was born on October 29 in Sassello, Italy.
2. Athletic, cheerful and determined, she dreamed of being a flight attendant, then a pediatrician.
3. She experienced both successes and failures – early in her life she clearly learned to make every obstacle a springboard, to live the Gospel with authenticity.
4. At age 9 she discovered through a friend that God is love. She joined the young people of the Focolare. Its founder, Chiara Lubich, had challenged them to “become a generation of saints.” Chiara Badano took the message and ran with it.
5. At age 17, she felt a sharp pain while playing tennis. The diagnosis: osteosarcoma, an extremely painful bone tumor. With each new “surprise” the disease inflicted she would say: “For you, Jesus. If you want it, I want it too.”
6. Her friends were constantly with her, even when her suffering was at its worst.
7. She refused morphine, explaining, “It takes away my lucidity, and all I have left to offer Jesus is my pain.” Chiara Lubich gave her a new name: Chiara Luce (“clear light” – the light of God overcoming the world).
8. On October 7, 1990 she died, having seen to every detail of her funeral – her “wedding feast” – including songs, prayers of the faithful and a white wedding dress.
9. 2000. Bishop Livio Maritano, who knew her personally, realized what a valuable model she would be for young people and for the Church. He initiated the process of the cause of her beatification, which lasted 10 years.
10. 2010. In Rome, on September 25, Chiara Luce Badano was proclaimed “Blessed.”
