Summary of the Life Story of Mother Clelia Merloni

On March 10, 1861, Clelia Maria Merloni was born in Forlí, Italy. Her parents, Teresa Brandinelli and Joachim Merloni, delighted in the birth of their daughter.
On the same day she was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church in the Cathedral of Forlí..
In 1864 Clelia's mother died.
Clelia's grandmother became her guardian.
As a young precocious child Clelia exhibited signs of having a keen intelligence. Her physical frailty did not prevent her from being inquisitive.
After her father's marriage to Maria Giovanna Boeri, Clelia eagerly absorbed a true Christian spirit as a result of her stepmother's guidance and enthusiasm for the love of God.
It was during these early years that Clelia attended a private school in the suburbs of the city.
In addition to the basic subjects - reading, writing, and mathematics- Clelia learned to sew, to draw, and to play the piano.
Due to difficulties and suffering in her married life, Clelia's stepmother died at a young age.
Clelia would often retreat to her room where she would pray and do penance for her father's misdeeds. For example, on several occasions she wore a pebble in her shoe in order to offer the pain for her father's good
Gradually, Joachim Merloni's invested wealth permitted him to send Clelia to Visitation Academy where she seem happy and delighted to learn more about God and the sisters.
At the age of ten Clelia received her First Communion which led to a deepening of her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
She spent many hours in adoration in the Academy chapel where she met the Lord in intimate prayer.
In continuing her studies at a school in Savona she became ill with a persistent fever. After receiving medical treatment she gradually recuperated. At this time she spend many hours in quiet reflection in anticipation of her future vocation.
As a lovely teenager Clelia grew in maturity, in beauty, and in talent. She impressed many people by her ability to play the piano.
In  her enthusiasm to pursue the Lord's will in her life, she entertained the idea of devoting her life to Him by becoming a sister. Thus, Clelia and a family friend, Luisa Bertolini, agree to leave for the convent.
However, once her father learned of this plan, he forced her to return home.
Shortly, after her return Mr. Merloni arranged a marriage for his daughter. He invited many suitors to visit Clelia at their home. Clelia made it clear to her father that she did not feel called to marriage.
She based her decision on prayerful reflection and spiritual discernment.
With her father's reluctant approval, Clelia entered the Visitation Sisters' convent in 1883. Her stay there did not last very long due to health problems.
In 1884 she began to work in Genoa gathering together abandoned orphans and placing them in institutions that would provided for their needs. Thus she converted her deep love of God into service for others.
In 1892 Clelia entered the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Divine Providence in Como where, after a few years, she received a clear inspiration to found her own community of sisters. This community would be devoted to spreading the love of the Sacred Heart.
In 1894, Clelia, accompanied by three other women, began an orphanage at Viareggio.
Due to her father's death in 1895 and to a lack of money, Clelia went to Bishop Scalabrini for help.
Encouraged by this man, Clelia sent sisters to Brazil in 1900 and to the United States in 1902 in order to help Italian immigrants.
Clelia's love of the Sacred Heart drew many young women to follow her and her sisters even after her death on November 21, 1930.
Today, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus extend their service to Italy, South America, Africa, Albania, Taiwan, and the United States. They number approximately 1500 sisters.
The sisters, working in various ministries, continue to encourage devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in all whom they serve.

The Love of Christ Impels Us!