|
  
 
Dolores Immacolata Penza was born
in Atripalda, Italy, on May 7, 1892, one of six children. Her parents gave her a deep religious education and just before her 17th birthday allowed
her to visit her three brothers who had emigrated to the United States. Her
intended short stay in America lasted a lifetime. She spent years of hard work
while living with one of her brothers in Brooklyn, New York. On October 2, 1913, Dolores Immacolata was married to
Joseph Gili, a successful businessman from Orange, New Jeresy, in the Church of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in that town. A devoted wife, a loving mother of five
children. She found time to welcome people in to her house who would come to
pray and be assisted in their various needs. Dolores Immacolata became 'Mama" to
them all.
In 1931 her husband
died and she was left all alone to provide for her children working at two jobs
and trusting in God. Yet her house remained open to all as a shelter of prayer
and charitable work.
In October, 1953, Mama Gili was finally able to
go back to Italy. In her home town of Atripalda she met a saintly Franciscan
priest who introduced her to the devotion of the Holy Face of Jesus from the
Shroud of Turin that was streaming with blood.
(Click here to
view the picture given to Mama)
That sight of the Divine Face bruised and
bloodied inflamed her with zeal to promote tirelessly the devotion to the Holy
Face of Jesus. She was able to organize 'Holy Hours of Reparation' and
enthronement of the Holy Face by the thousands at home and abroad. She had an
extraordinary gift for listening to people in difficulty, for encouraging and
inspiring all to live an authentic Christian life of love for God and neighbor.
God allowed Mama Gili to be an example of
patience and strength in her long illness. From 1978 to her death on October 26,
1985, she was completely bedridden. She accepted her sufferings as God's Will
and offered them for the Church, for priests, religious, married couples, the
youth and all those who would recommend themselves to her prayers.
Mama Gili lived and died as a true apostle of the Holy Face Of Jesus.
Prayer for the
Beatification of Dolores Immacolata Gili
(Mama Gili)
O Lord, let the light of Your Face shine on us as it shone in the life of
Your humble servant Dolores Immacolata Gili. With the help of Your grace she
promoted devotion to Your Holy Face with extraordinary zeal and accepted her
sufferings with patience and love. She saw Your Face in the faces of all who
came to her in physical and spiritual need.
Grant that the Holiness of her life may be
recognized by Your Church, so that her virtue may serve to promote Your glory
and inspire us to follow her example.
Look mercifully on us in all our needs and answer
our prayer...(Here mention your petition). We ask this through Christ our
Lord...Amen.
Adorable Face Of Jesus,
whom all the
angels adore, may You be known,
loved and adored by the whole world.
*********************
If you have received a special favor or you knew Mama Gili and
want to
share your experience. Contact
us
|
