Maria Rosa Agostini

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Maria Rosa Agostini (3 May 1722 – 16 March 1768) was an Italian lay Dominican regarded as "the Merchant Saint of Loreto". She was in consideration for sainthood.[1]

Biography

She was a Dominican tertiary and lived with her family who owned a merchant shop in the city, facing the incomplete south section of the west wing of Basilica della Santa Casa.[2] She was known for her piety, devotion to the Child Jesus and mystical writings.[2]

Beatification

Her cause for beatification has been initiated on 16 April 1791 with the approval of Pope Pius VI after her 9 miracles were recorded and confirmed.[2] It was eventually halted on 7 December 1884 and has since not commenced.[3] She is venerated a "venerable" in the Dominican Order.[2]

In 2016, Bianca Gjomarkaj Nakovics, a descendant of Agostini, published a book entitled La Merchaiai Santa di Loreto: Venerabile Maria Rosa Agostini, La Sua Vita e Morte in her memory and revive an interest on her saintly life.[4]

References