In the long list of canonized saints, there are not many who were engaged, but never married. Even rarer is a saint who died during their engagement.
Such is the case for Bl. Sandra Sabattini, a young woman who was deeply devoted to God. She had a big heart, and as a teenager she would frequently use the pocket money from her parents to give to the poor, leaving almost nothing for herself.
It was her dream to become a medical missionary. She said once, “Charity is the synthesis of contemplation and action, it is the point at which heaven joins earth, where human beings join with God.”
While attending a meeting of the Pope John XXIII Community, she met a young man named Guido Rossi, and they fell in love, sharing the same ideals. They became engaged to be married and were joined together by their love of God and the poor.
However, her life was cut short in April 1984. She was on her way to attend a meeting of the Pope John XXIII Community and after leaving her car, she was hit by another car and died in the hospital on May 2, 1984, at the age of 22.
Her life of holiness remains an inspiration to many, and her unique connection to young engaged couples would make her a perfect intercessor.
Bl. Sandra Sabattini, pray for all engaged couples!
And today we celebrate...