The Madonna Consolata
Patron Saint of Turin
(a picture before restoration)
"Nothing attracts me among the Capuchins", was Pierina's comment when, after three failed attempts to take the veil in open orders, she was advised by her confessor Don Accomasso, to take the decision to enter the Convent of the Poor Clares in Turin. It was April 17 1929. Effectively in her, as well as the inclination of grace through penitence, other three elements peculiar to the Franciscan order were evident: poverty, the communal life and happiness. Thus on February 28 1930 her religious Ceremony of taking the Veil took place with the name of Sister Maria Consolata. The Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated in Turin under the name of Consolata, namely Consoler of the Afflicted.
The new name chosen by young Betrone is indicative, even more than of her mission, of her very existence; of being the consoler of the Heart of Jesus and of all those who are unable to perceive or welcome the love of the Lord. According to what she would present she would be "a missionary, but to the infinite". The day of the Ceremony of taking the Veil she perceives a Divine suggestion that shows her the way to it: "I do not ask you more than this: an act of continual love". And for more than 16 years of enclosed Capuchin life this would be the foundation on which will concentrate and unify her entire being, moulding herself to it at every moment of her existence until the "consummatum est". On April 8 1934, Low Sunday, she took her perpetual vows. In the convent she undertook the work of cook, doorkeeper and cobbler.
Sister Maria Consolata Betrone
When she was transferred on July 22 1939 to the new foundation of Moriondo Moncalieri (Turin), she was also nurse and secretary. Her ordinary life will always pass in daily penitence and self denial in the fulfilment of the tasks assigned to her. The exceptional nature of her adventure, however, totally unfolded in the intimacy of her spirit. True contemplative, the whole world and every creature in need of compassion was shared between God and her. Through grace, rather with the love that joins than with the sensibility of the mystical gift, she became the confidante of the Sacred Heart that is perfectly human, as the Lord himself taught her : "Do not make me a harsh God while I am no less than the God of love!". Through Consolata God seemed to want to educate the heart of man anew to the union with Him; between creature and Creator no longer servile subordination, rather intimacy. This is, in substance, the spiritual content of the supplication Jesus, Mary I love you, save souls, the characteristic of the Tiny Path of Love shown by the Lord to the humble Capuchin nun to bring back to grace and compassion, with a simple act of confidence, millions of souls tormented by sin. Was especially merit of Father Lorenzo Sales (1889-1972), her confessor and spiritual director from September 1935, to have helped with wisdom and discernment the Work of God written more in the life of Sister Consolata than in the notes of her diary. In this Work of charity she was firstly subjected to every trial that requires in man pure faith in Him, who can do all. Consolata will come to moan: "I feel all the passions of capital sins are rioting in me". But the Divine Bridegroom, in this martyrdom "until the last drop of blood" to save the world, also assured her: "Since I am the Most Holy it is my thirst to communicate it to souls ... You only love. You are too small to climb to the summit: I will carry you on my shoulders".
