Blessed Giuseppina Nicoli

Biography

Giuseppina Nicoli was born in Casatisma, in the diocese of Tortona, in Italy on 18^th of November 1863. In 1883, she joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. She dedicated most of her life to educating young people in Sardinia, Cagliari, and Sassari. She worked tirelessly to assist the poor and was particularly instrumental in lifting thousands of abandoned children out of poverty. These children, whom she affectionately referred to as “Marianelli” or “Mary’s children,” were a testament to her dedication. She exemplified joy of the soul, prudence, and justice. She passed away on the 31st of December 1924, in Cagliari and was beatified on February 3, 2008.

Lauds

Invitatory Antiphon: The Lord is the King of virgins: Come Let us adore Him.

Hymn

God's blessed Spirit moved his virgin saint

To wield strong weapons in a lifelong fight,

To make a lonely journey from the flesh,

That she might live unfettered in his sight.

She turned her face towards the cross of Christ,

And he himself prepared her as his bride;

She bore the Holy Spirit's timeless fruits

By which God's pledge of love is ratified.

Her life showed forth the kingdom of the Lord,

When humbly for his sake she dwelt apart,

To wait on him in silence with the poor,

The chaste of body and the clean of heart.

O Blessed Trinity, the virgins' crown,

They sing your praises with unending song,

Rejoicing in the hope you have fulfilled,

Lord God, unfailing strength of all the strong

Antiphon 1: Since God loved us without measure, we do not put limits to our charity towards our brothers.

Antiphon 2: We must be the guardian angels of the poor, and therefore whenever they meet us we must grasp them with goodness and do everything to help them.

Antiphon 3: We no longer belong to ourselves: we belong to God and the poor.

Scripture Reading

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness^[^a^] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Short Responsory

V. My heart has declared: “I seek Your face.”

R. My heart has declared: “I seek Your face.”

V. Do not hide Yourself from me, Lord.

R. I seek Your face.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

R. My heart has declared: “I seek Your face.”

Benedictus Antiphon: Only the one who loves, shall teach, and guide one’s disciples - like the good shepherd.

Intercessions

Confidently, we address our prayers to the Father in heaven, seeking His guidance for generous service in our vocation:

R. Renew us, Lord, in Your Spirit.

May this new day overflow with acts of fraternal charity, touching those we encounter with a message of Your love. R.

May our work glorify Your name and contribute to the building of Your kingdom. R.

Remember the poor, the lonely, and the abandoned; may this day bring them joy and consolation. R.

Illuminate our projects with the light of Your love and inspire our endeavors with Your wisdom. R.

Our Father

Concluding Prayer

O God, Who have given to blessed Giuseppina Nicoli

an evangelical spirit and joy of heart in educating young people,

through her intercession and by imitating her virtues,

grant us the grace to proclaim You, the true Father of the poor.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Vespers

Hymn

O Jesus, thou the virgins' crown,

Thy gracious ear to us bow down,

Born of that Virgin whom alone

The Mother and the maid we own.

In thee, their Bridegroom and their Lord,

The virgins find their bright reward,

And wheresoe'r they footsteps wend

With hymns and praises thee attend.

O gracious Lord, we thee implore

Thy grace into our minds to pour;

From all defilement keep us free,

And make us pure in heart for thee.

All praise to God the Father be,

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,

With whom the Spirit we adore,

Forever and for evermore.

Antiphon 1: Jesus made known the infinite charity to make us understand that we will never have enough charity.

Antiphon 2: Jesus wants his incarnation to extend to whole humanity, to each of us. So, he remains not only amid us, but gives himself to each of us.

Antiphon 3: Jesus unites his flesh to our flesh, his heart to our heart, his soul to our soul, forming us wholly in Holy Communion.

Scripture Reading

Colossians 3:12-14.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all this put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Short Responsory

V. The Lord has chosen you and favored you.

R. The Lord chose you and favored you.

V. He has made you dwell in His tent.

R. And He favored you.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

R. The Lord chose you and favored you.

Magnificat Antiphon: What you have done to the least of my brothers, you have done to Me. Come, blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.

Intercessions

Strengthened by the prayer of our sister, Blessed Giuseppina Nicoli, we lift our supplications to the Father. May He strengthen this family in their service to the poor:

R. Give us, O Father, the spirit of Your charity.

May brotherly love, according to Your commandment, shine brightly in our lives, illuminating salvation for all. R.

Help us recognize You in the poor and the suffering, satisfying their hunger and thirst. R.

Extend Your kindness to the marginalized, orphans, and widows, for they are dear to Your compassionate heart. R.

May young souls recognize You on life’s journey, welcoming You as their Father and Savior. R.

We pray for our departed brothers, that they find joy in the glorious communion of Your saints. R.