Blessed Elisabetta Canori Mora, February 5

Blessed Elisabetta Canori Mora

Rome, November 21, 1774 – Rome, February 5, 1825

Wife and mother of the secular SS.ma Trinity.

Roman Martyrology: At Rome, Blessed Elizabeth Canoro Mora, mother of the family, which, having long suffered because of her husbands infidelity, for financial and cruel harassment by the family, bore all with unsurpassed love and patience and gave life to the Lord for the conversion, salvation, peace and the sanctification of sinners joining the Third Order of the Holy Trinity.

Elizabeth Canori Mora was born in Rome on November 21, 1774 to Thomas and Teresa Primoli.

She came from a wealthy family, Christian and deeply attentive to the education of children. Her father was important landowner and operated several farms, an old gentleman, administered without disdaining the greed and predatory abuse.

The Canoros had twelve sons, six of whom died early in life. When Elizabeth was born she had five brothers and a sister, Mary; two years later another sister, Benedetta, arrived.

Within a few years, the poor harvests, the deaths of livestock and insolvency creditors, changed their economic situation and Thomas Canoro is forced to resort to the help of a brother who lives in Spoleto, which shall bear the grandchildren Elizabeth and Benedetta.

His uncle decides to give the grandchildren to the Sisters of the Augustinian monastery of St. Rita of Cascia, Elizabeth here is distinguished by intelligence, deep inner life and a spirit of penance.
Returned to Rome for several years leading a witty and worldly life, becoming noted for finesse and beauty of stretch. Elizabeth wouldl judge this period of her life a “betrayal”, even if her moral consistency was not affected and her religious sensibility was somehow preserved.

A high priest who understood the economic problems and the spiritual quality of the singing family, proposed to enter Blessed Elizabeth into the Oblates in the monastery of St. Philip, by taking up all the costs. Benedetta accepted and became a nun in 1795, Elizabeth declined, as she didn’t want to leave leaving the family in difficulty.

On January 10, 1796 in the church of Santa Maria in Campo Corleo, she celebrated her marriage to Christopher Mora, an excellent young man, cultured, educated and religious, who had a thriving career as a lawyer. Marriage is a choice carefully matured, but after a few months, the psychological fragility of Christopher Mora undermined everything. Attracted by a woman of modest circumstances, he betrayed his wife and family from outside.

Elizabeth responded to the physical psychological violence of her husband with full fidelity. The birth of his daughters Marianna in 1799 and Mary Lucina in 1801 did not improve things. Elizabeth was forced to make a living working with her hands, following with the utmost attention the daughters and the daily care of the house, while devoting much space to prayer, service to the poor and the sick.

Her house became a reference point for many people who turned to her for spiritual and material needs. She was particularly attentive to families in difficulty. She met and discussed the spirituality of the Trinitarians, and embraced the secular order, responding with dedication to the family vocation and consecration centuries.
The fame of her holiness, the echo of her mystical experiences and her wonder-working powers had great resonance particularly in Rome and its vicinity. Nothing, however, affected her lifestyle, marked with a great humility and a spirit of generous service to the poor and those who were far from God.
She gave herself to the conversion of her husband, for the Pope, the Church and the city of Rome, where she died February 5, 1825. She is buried in the Church of San Carlino.

Immediately after her death, her husband converted, he entered the Order of Trinitarians, later becoming Friar Minor Conventual and priest, as he said the wife.

Elizabeth Mora Canoro was beatified April 24, 1994 International Year of the Family.

“I propose not to want anything that is my profit, but to take in every moment of my life the holy will of God.”

“My beloved Daughter, you offer to my heavenly Father to the Church’s pro: I promise you my help ..”.
“Such a mother is not the world, and I am unworthy to be a wife.”
(The husband Christopher daughters).

Author: Carmelo Randelo

SOURCE: Santi e Beati