Elizabeth Canori-Mora

Blessed Elizabeth Canori-Mora

Elizabeth Canori-Mora was born in Rome on November 21, 1774, from a well-to-do family and was given a good Christian education. As a teenager, she loved fine clothes and socializing as well as spending time in prayer and making small sacrifices to help the poor. At 19, she attracted the attention of a young lawyer, Christopher Mora, and the two were married on January 10, 1798. She embraced marriage as her God-given vocation and vowed to live it as a sacrament of salvation for herself, her husband and whatever children God would give them.

Marriage, however, proved to be a cause of much suffering for Elizabeth when, a few years later, she discovered that Christopher had a mistress and was squandering the family resources on her. She offered herself to God for the conversion of her husband, who also became a compulsive gambler, a heavy drinker and a shady businessman. Elizabeth's inner pain was as deep as her conviction that the divine law of wedded fidelity admitted no exceptions. As a good mother, she totally dedicated herself to the Christian upbringing of her two daughters, Marianna and Lucina, whom she urged to pray for their father and guided in the choice of their vocations in life. The irresponsible behavior of Christopher resulted in the financial ruin of the family. To remedy the situation, she undertook to work as a seamstress.
In the midst of her marital and financial difficulties Elizabeth found inner peace and strength in prayer and a deep trust in God. Attracted by the charitable spirit of the Trinitarian Order, she became a Tertiary member in 1807, and found time to help the poor, to visit the sick and to counsel married couples in crisis. She often reminded her husband to straighten up his life. Once she said to him: "It may seem unbelievable, but one day you will celebrate Mass for me!"
Elizabeth died on February 5, 1825. Her fame of holiness attracted many priests, religious, noble men and women, and a large crowd of common people to her funeral. Being closely associated with the Trinitarian Third Order, she was buried in the crypt of the Trinitarian Church of San Carlino in Rome.
After a series of miraculous cures were ascribed to her intercession, the Holy See reviewed her life and declared that she had lived all Christian virtues to an heroic degree. Pope John Paul II proclaimed her Blessed on April 24, 1994.
After her death, daughter Lucina joined the Sisters of St. Philip, Marianna married, and Christopher began to be seen praying in churches. Often he spoke remorsefully about the sufferings he had inflicted on his saintly wife. He first became a Trinitarian Tertiary, then he entered the Conventual Franciscans, professed the religious vows of obedience, poverty and chastity, and after completing a course of theological studies, was ordained a priest at the age of 61, fulfilling Elizabeth's prophecy.
He died eleven years later, at the age of 72.

Another miracle is needed for Elizabeth Canori-Mora to be proclaimed a saint. Should anyone receive a grace through her Intercession please report it to:

The Postulator of the Trinitarians
San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane - Via del Quirinale 23
00187 Rome, Italy

Prayer to Obtain Graces through the Intercession of
Blessed Elizabeth Canori-Mora

Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, source of all holiness, I thank you for the graces you have bestowed upon Blessed Elizabeth Canori-Mora, and for having made her a model of faith, hope and charity as a Christian wife and mother.
I humbly beseech you to grant the graces
I ask through her intercession...
Firmly abiding by your Holy Will,
I make this prayer through Christ,
our Lord and Savior.
Amen.

For holy cards of Blessed Elizabeth Canori-Mora or Information about the Trinitarians or becoming a lay member of the Trinitarian Third Order, write to:

The Trinitarians
P.O. Box 5719
Baltimore, Maryland 21208

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