Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Mother Clelia Merloni


Foundress of the

Apostles

of the

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Clelia Merloni was born in Forlì, Italy, on March 10, 1861, daughter of Gioacchino and Teresa Brandinelli. Invited by the Lord to follow Him in the way of religious perfection, she responded generously, renouncing the world and founding the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Viareggio, Italy, on May 30, 1894. For the sake of the Congregation she spent not only her wealthy inheritance but also the precious energies of her great soul. She had to undergo extremely difficult trials, profound humiliations, and unspeakable sufferings for her undertaking. Her very being was consumed in daily self-immolation in order to give love, glory, and reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to bring about the growth of her Congregation, and to convert sinners. She died in the Generalate in Rome on November 21, 1930. Her body was transported on May 20, 1945, to the chapel of the Generalate, where it now rests. The edict for the introduction of the Cause of Canonization of Mother Clelia Merloni was issued by his Eminence Cardinal Ugo Poletti, Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, on May 20, 1989. The opening of the Trial took place in Rome on June 18, 1990.The Apostles, who presently carry out their apostolic efforts in Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, the United States, Mozambique, Benin, Albania, Taiwan, and the Philippines, ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the grace to see her numbered among the Saints.

Prayer for the Beatification of Mother Clelia Merloni

O Jesus, you who filled your servant Clelia with a profound love for the riches of the graces of your Heart, grant, we beseech you, to make use of her virtues to draw many persons to the knowledge and love of your Sacred Person, and if it be your holy Will, to call her to the honors of beatification so that we may have recourse more and more to her intercession and learn from her example to devote ourselves humbly and generously to your divine service.
Amen.

Prayer to the Most Blessed Trinity
To obtain graces through the intercession of Mother Clelia Merloni

O most Holy Trinity, you who exalt the humble and confound the proud, deign to hear my prayer, granting me through the intercession of your faithful servant, Mother Clelia, the grace I ardently desire.

Recite the Glory Be three times in honor of the Blessed Trinity

Anyone who receives graces through the intercession of Mother Clelia Merloni is requested to contact:

Apostole del Sacro Cuore di Gesù
Via Germano Sommeiller, 38
00185 Roma
cleliamerloni@ascj.net

Provincial Superior
Mount Sacred Heart
295 Benham Street
Hamden, CT 06514 USA