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St. Agostina Pietrantoni was born Olivia Pietrantoni in a small town in Italy. She was the second of her parents’ eleven children.
From an early age, Olivia worked hard. She helped on her family’s farm, cared for her siblings, and did seasonal work, including assisting with road construction. As she worked, she evangelized, telling other children she worked with about the faith and standing up to cruel bosses.
Olivia believed that she was called to religious life, and she turned down many proposals. Some accused her of wanting to enter religious life to avoid hard work, to which she replied that she wanted to join an order that worked day and night.
So, Olivia traveled to Rome to attempt to join a religious order, but was denied entry. A few months later, she was accepted into the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret. At the age of 22, she entered the order and took the name Agostina.
Agostina was sent to work at Holy Spirit Hospital. This hospital had recently forced out the Capuchin friars. Hospital administration had also banned religious articles like crucifixes and banned the sisters from speaking about God. They only allowed the religious sisters to continue their work out of fear of public backlash. In short, the environment was hostile to the Catholic faith.
Agostina was first assigned to the children’s ward, and then the tuberculosis ward. The work in the tuberculosis ward was dangerous and saddening, as tuberculosis was a death sentence at the time. In fact, Agostina herself contracted tuberculosis from a patient, but she was miraculously healed.
Agostina treated every patient with compassion and worked hard to fulfill their needs. Her joy and care radiated Christ in an environment so hostile to Him.
Agostina found a private corner of the ward to pray in. There, she prayed for the patients, and especially for Joseph Romanelli.
Joseph was a patient at Holy Spirit Hospital. He harassed and threatened Agostina constantly. Agostina continued to serve him with kindness and compassion, and continually prayed for him.
Eventually, Joseph was kicked out of the hospital, but his threats towards Agostina continued. One day, he acted on those threats, cornered Agostina in the hospital, and killed her. She died forgiving Joseph and calling on Mary’s intercession.
Lessons from St. Agostina Pietrantoni
Agostina continually asked for Mary’s intercession in the situation with Joseph. She entrusted him to Mary and asked Mary to intercede for Joseph’s soul and her protection. From Agostina, we can learn the importance and power of Mary’s intercession in situations of fear and on the healing journey.
Despite the difficult situation at the hospital, Agostina found God in it by finding a hidden corner to pray in. Many would’ve been turned away by what Agostina faced, but she believed she was called to serve despite the difficulties. This small act of rebellion helped her persevere in her important work and evangelize despite the anti-religious hostility.
When we find ourselves in situations of fear or on the healing journey, we can learn from Agostina by seeking to see God working in our lives. One way to find God in these situations is to take a few minutes every day to reflect on it and thank God for how He has moved.