Servants of God: M. Richard, M. Catherine, Sister M. Maddalena

Servant of God

MOTHER M. RICCARDA BEAUCHAMP HAMBROUGH, O.SS.S.

Mother M. Riccarda Beauchamp Hambrough was born in London on the 10^th September 1887. She completed her first studies at the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Convent in England, where she also attended courses in singing and music. After coming to know of the experience of Blessed Elizabeth through Fr. Benedict Williamson, in 1914 she transferred herself definitely to Rome to be close to Blessed Elizabeth, becoming her disciple and faithful companion in her movements in the city of Rome and abroad. In 1918 she made her Final Religious Profession in the House of Via Corsica. She took up various assignments of responsibility and in 1923 we find her in Stockholm for the inauguration of the first Bridgettine Foundation in Sweden since the Protestant Reformation. Returning to Rome in 1924, she moved from Via delle Isole to Piazza Farnese in 1931 where she remained till her death.

From 1931 to 1966, the Servant of God, in silence and constant attention to the Mother, was along with the latter, the true protagonist of the life and growth of the new Bridgettine family.

In 1935 she was back in Sweden for the opening of the House in Vadstena. She also accompanied Mother Elizabeth when the Mother presented the 1940 Constitutions to Pope Pius XII for approval and renewed the petition that the new Foundation be named Order of the Most Holy Saviour. On the 24^th April 1957 Mother Riccarda witnessed the passing away of Blessed Elizabeth and a year later, on the 3^rd May 1958, she was elected the first Abbess General after the Foundress, a position she held until 1964. She died in the House of Piazza Farnese on the 26^th June 1966 in odour of sanctity.

A women of Prayer, with lovable traits and behaviour, her life was a constant meditation on the mystery of God, the only light that illuminated the silence of her prayers and the endless hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. She willingly accepted pain and suffering. She ruled the Order in difficult times, always with great kindness and attention, standing out as a pious Mistress of the novices, a vigilant Superior and a thoughtful Sister. As Mother General she was able to incorporate the prophecy of the Blessed Elizabeth with the signs of renewal of Vatican II, which was concluded just a year before her death.

Prayer for the Beatification

of the Servant of God

Mother M. Richard

Beauchamp Hambrough, O.SS.S
(1887-1966)

                                        We thank you, Lord,

because You have moulded a simple

                                        and generous heart in your Servant Richard,

                                        capable of total confidence

    and heroic adhesion to Your project of life.

                                        Grant to us,

                                        who venerate her memory,

                                      that we may follow in her steps,

                                   and have her as a sister and as an advocate

                                       before Your throne of mercy.

                                 Glory be... 3 times

In the event of graces granted through the intercession of the
Servant of God you are kindly asked to inform:
Motherhouse, Piazza Farnese, 96 - 00186 Rome (Italy)
Tel. +39 06 68892596
E-mail:brigida@brigidine.org

Servant of God

MOTHER M. CATHERINE FLANAGAN, O.SS.S.

Mother M. Catherine Flanagan was born in London on 17^th July 1892 to Irish parents, in a rather austere but affectionately warm family atmosphere. From childhood she was brought up in close contact with the sacraments and the liturgy, which she deeply loved.

In September 1911, directed by Fr. Benedict Williamson, pastor of the Parish of St. Gregory in London, she arrived at the house of St. Bridget in Piazza Farnese to follow the call of God and be a member of the first Bridgettine community in Rome. Between 1913 and 1915 she completed the first stage of her spiritual formation and made her temporary Profession. She remained there until 1927 when she was sent to Sweden for a year. Later we find her as Mother Superior in Lugano (1928), England (1931), and Vadstena (1935). In 1939 she moved to Djursholm where she was hit by an incurable disease. Consequently she was recovered in a Catholic nursing home in Stockholm, where she spent the last months of his life in great suffering, praying for Sweden and edifying all by her example. She died on 19^th March 1941 with clear signs of predestination and in loving compliance with the will of the Lord. On 22^nd March 1941 her corpse was transferred in the ancient cemetery of Vadstena where it still rests to this day.

Eldest daughter of the Blessed Mother Elizabeth, her life was characterised by her total availability and sincere fidelity to God's Providence that, in the last period of her life, signed her with the cross.

Prayer for the Beatification

of the Servant of God

Mother M. Catherine Flanagan, O.SS.S

(1892-1941)

O Lord, holy and merciful Father,

You have endowed Your Servant Catherine

with heroic strength

in the vicissitudes of life

and with an ardent spirit of charity

towards those who suffer;

grant to us,

who behold in her the wonders of Your love,

that we may pay her due homage

and benefit of her intercession

before Your merciful face.

Glory be… 3 times

Servant of God

SISTER M. MADDALENA MOCCIA, O.SS.S.

Sister M. Maddalena Moccia was born in Naples on 1st August 1898 of wealthy parents, which unfortunately cared very little about the religious education of their daughters. In 1913 she entered the College of the Ursuline Sisters in Rome in Via Nomentana: there she so strongly deepened the experience of her faith that she even matured the idea of embracing the religious life.

What she wrote in November 1915, after the spiritual retreat at the Ursulines’ in Rome, is very significant: "Before entering this Holy House of God in the company of these holy and generous brides of Christ, I had never imagined what a retreat could be. Now, for two times have I experienced what a retreat could be. What a delight, what a joy! Never in the world had I heard and met my friend Jesus as the Ursulines now have made Him known to me. Never had I worshiped and loved Him as I now do spontaneously, without any need of encouragement. I often hear His voice, and He is prompt to take possession of my soul through his grace".

She entered the Bridgettine Community in Via delle Isole 34 in Rome, for which she felt greatly attracted. Here she was accepted as a postulant on 29^th December 1920, taking the name of Sister M. Maddalena of Jesus Crucified. On the 23^rd July 1921 she took the religious habit, but in September of that same year, there appeared the first symptoms of a disease that would bring her to her death: pulmonary tuberculosis! On 20^th February 1922 she took the perpetual vows, after only seven months in the novitiate, and on 20^th April 1922 she passed away in Rome in odour of sanctity.
She had said to the Blessed Mother Elizabeth: "I will be your Angel in heaven".

Prayer for the Beatification

of the Servant of God

Sister M. Maddalena Moccia, O.SS.S

(1898-1922)

O Father most holy,

You have marked with suffering

the young life of Your Servant Maria Maddalena

and have drawn her close to your heart

in the silent adoration of the Heavenly Bread;

grant that we may venerate her memory,

imitate her example

and benefit of her intercession.

Glory be… 3 times