Antonietta Meo, affectionately known as “Nennolina,” was born on December 15, 1930, in Rome.
At just four years old, a swelling on her knee was diagnosed as osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Despite the amputation of her leg, Antonietta remained cheerful and returned to school with an artificial leg.
Nennolina’s profound spirituality became evident through the letters she wrote to Jesus, Mary, and the saints. In these letters, she expressed her love and offered her suffering for the conversion of sinners. “The pain is like fabric,” she wrote to her father, “the stronger it is, the more value it has.” Her deep understanding of redemptive suffering astonished even seasoned theologians.
On Christmas Day 1936, Antonietta received her First Communion, a moment of great joy despite her deteriorating health.
She continued to write over 100 letters, many of which she placed at the foot of a statue of Baby Jesus in her room. Her unwavering faith and acceptance of her suffering touched everyone around her, including Pope Pius XI.
Antonietta’s final days were marked by a serene acceptance of her fate. She comforted her grieving mother, predicting her own death and reassuring her that she would soon be with Jesus. On July 3, 1937, at the age of six, Nennolina passed away, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable faith and devotion.
On December 17, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI declared her Venerable, recognizing her heroic virtues. If canonized, she will become the youngest non-martyred saint in Church history, marking her as the youngest person in the process of being considered a saint and confessor.
Pray for Antonietta Meo!
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Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
