Barbara’s initial dream, amid much toil and much enthusiasm, began to take shape and became concrete on Christmas 1879, the day Barbara received the Franciscan habit and the new name of Suor Maria Giuseppa di Gesù Bambino, giving birth to the “Istituto delle Terziarie Francescane di Gesù Bambino”. This name, received in obedience to providence and history, also becomes the first and constant reference for identity.
From the face and style of the Infant Jesus we wish to learn and draw inspiration and strengthto be able to contemplate, live and witness the Infant God, Who so fascinates us and who continually touches and transforms human life, leading it to fullness.
Christmas 1879
The charismatic moment
The foundational journey of the Institute, in L’Aquila, is characterized as a “charismatic moment,” a “moment” during which Mother gives her daughters the gift of the handwritten Rule.
"Let the Rule be my voice."
The family grows supported by God’s mercy, the cooperation of the observant Friars Minor, the humble work of the sisters, and the goodwill of the people; in 1885 a house opened in Guardiagrele (CH) and, in 1888, Suor Maria Giusepppa with some companions moved to S. Maria degli Angeli, where she also took the novitiate.
The desire to live and work “in the shadow of the Portiuncula” becomes a reality.
Intense years of charity in the service of the weakest and commitment to drafting the first Constitutions, presented in 1890, followed. There are many passages with which Suor Maria Giuseppa disagrees, such as the changes to the vow of poverty and the failure to mention community life.
During these years the confrontation is lively even though difficulties and differences of views involve the first sisters and lead to misunderstandings as a result of which she herself is not confirmed in the leadership of the religious family (1894).
At S. Maria degli Angeli Suor Maria Giuseppa remained until 1897: nine years of intense work, joys and sorrows, disappointed hopes and promising springs.
Time passes, an eternity awaits us, a crown is prepared for us.
Suor Maria Giuseppa di Gesù Bambino spent her last years in Rome between Via Merulana and environs and Via di Porta Angelica; each place reveals a particular aspect and characteristic of predilection with which God guided her and the Institute she founded.
Suor Maria Giuseppa di Gesù Bambino died in Assisi on April 19, 1909,at the Suore Francescane Missionarie di Assisi (Suore del Giglio), in the sign of trust and blessing, in the certainty that the Institute, which she tenaciously recognized as “a thing willed by God,”ives, like the existence of each person, going through and retracing the same stages of the paschal mystery.
Her blessing comes again today to us, her daughters, who continue the work she began.
a thing willed by God
These daughters, all of whom I re-embrace and bless a thousand times over, imploring from God, One and Triune, the fullness of Seraphic blessings upon all.