Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo. | Credit: Christian Gennari/chiaracorbellapetrillo.it
Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo, the joyful young mother who died of cancer in 2012, will be one step closer next month to being declared a saint. The Diocese of Rome announced that the closing session of the diocesan phase of her cause for beatification will take place on June 21 at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Chiara's story has resonated deeply with many, as her unwavering faith and joy amid profound suffering and loss continue to inspire. Her journey with her husband, Enrico Petrillo, began at a pilgrimage to Međugorje and led to their marriage in Assisi in 2008. Despite the heartbreak of losing their first two children shortly after birth due to severe medical conditions, Chiara and Enrico remained steadfast in their trust in God, using their experiences to advocate for pro-life causes in Italy.
Chiara's life took another challenging turn when she was diagnosed with cancer during her third pregnancy. She chose to forego any treatments that might endanger her unborn son, Francesco, prioritizing his life over her own. Despite the cancer spreading, Chiara remained committed to her faith, receiving the Blessed Sacrament daily and preparing spiritually for her passing. Her serene acceptance of her fate, encapsulated in her words to Enrico, "Yes, Enrico. It is very sweet," exemplified her deep spiritual conviction. Chiara passed away on June 13, 2012, in her wedding gown, surrounded by loved ones, a year after Francesco’s birth. The cause for her canonization was officially opened on the fifth anniversary of her death, June 13, 2017, marking the beginning of the Church's formal recognition of her profound holiness and heroic virtue.
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