Benedetta Bianchi Porro, the white rose of Dovadola (1936 - 1964) On the feast day of St. 
Benedetta Bianchi Porro, jung, hübsch, reich, intelligent und lebensfroh, Nahm Willig Kreuz auf sich und ihr folgt nach dem Gekreuzigten. Die 27-jährige Medizinstudentin Benedetta Bianchi Porro, die gelähmt, blind, taub, geschmacks-und geruchsunfähig on her sick bed joked and laughed, knew several months ahead, that they on 23 March 1964, the feast of Mary marriage will die. However, they did not get excited, say no sadness. A friend, she simply wrote at the conclusion of her last letter: "Now I am calm. Tomorrow I'm going to die! "Some weeks ago they had an open grave in a dream that is seen in her native Dovadola (Province of Romagna) and above a white rose. It was for her the secret sign of their imminent death hour, but also their joyous, eternal resurrection!
Born in 1936 in the middle of the eight-strong, wealthy and happy family of the engineer Guido Bianchi Porro grew up to be a most charming little picture beautiful, exceptionally talented girl. Come to school readiness, it was the teachers at once in the 2nd Primary Class inserted. By 10 she was already receiving in high school and was able, thanks to their many talents and their perseverance to skip a class again, even though the war with bombing a quiet study almost impossible. At the age of barely 17, she was accepted for enrollment at the University of Milan. At that time, the first serious incident in her body began to be felt. In 1953 she joined
the high school studies with a brilliant literary Matura from ready to further spiritual hardships.
you listed but even then in her diary: "The examiner presented Latin issues, but I could not understand everything. I probably have three looked pretty stupid. "
failed but not because her memory, but their hearing, then began a laborious way of the cross from one hospital to another, to painful tests. A maid they had to accompany each case on its way to the assembly hall. In all haste she now learned the sign language. Despite all the difficulties she studied on bravely, for she thought, "that an abandonment of the study would be cowardly!"
your father's sake she had first Selected physics as my major, then changed over but zurmedizinischen faculty. All exams you get, except one. When she dared to ask the examiners, to submit questions in writing because they do not hear anything, she was indignant and ridiculed nearly driven out of the university. But as medical certificates proved her condition, was it an opportunity to repeat the exam and she was given the highest award! Since
Benedetta gave himself accountable, that even her eyesight declined peculiar, and searched in all the medical books for the name of their illness, which even the doctors had not been able to locate. And they found the term "Recklinghausen, neurofibromatosi diffusa. "
Not a single second contended that young, happy medical doctor with their fate. No, as a child of God, they knew no other way to heaven, as the Way of the Cross.
She wrote to a friendly student who encouraged her, entered a convent:
"I have noticed that the so-called civilized nations of the Christian virtues appreciate it, but when approaching Christ with his cross like, many of his supporters prefer from the dust for sheer fear of the humiliation and suffering, which brings with it the cross. . . »
Benedetta's iron will to work it was between painful operations, the exam in medical and surgical Pathologies and successfully pass, but for the state examination were not enough of their forces. Since they did not want to languish idly, she took a correspondence course in drawing and painting, and taught their younger siblings in middle school and primary school subjects. You had to tear out one day all her teeth and a head-cut operation to it by accidentally left the facial nerve. awoken from a different anesthetic, she realized that she was blind. The best doctors are trying their art. But in vain! After an intervention into the spinal cord, it can no longer maintain. Last
was this heroic man, only a single hand and the voice available to communicate with the outside world. Blind, deaf, paralyzed, without smell and taste it lay there. But her zeal for souls doubled.
your fellow students and friends she visited often. She joked and chatted with them. They punctuate their studies and ethical choice problems in deaf-mute sign on her hand and she gives them the voice that it remained answer. It encourages hard work and perseverance to be faithful to God and the Catholic Church. For her, the very sick, get healthy, the courage and energy. 10-15 students often sit in her room, talk to their political and religious problems, laugh and sing, because they know that Benedetta sings so happy and glad. These guys eiferen offset each other to the mother to help at meal time to put the patient some tiny morsel in the mouth.
And there, in this hospital room celebrates the academic youth of their community fair. Benedetta collected so all her strength, her inexhaustible passion joy, her love for the souls of the daily Holy Communion. Only in the closest connection with the crucified Christ, they can their own cross to bear to the end and spiritual leader of so many students to be. She dictated her self-sacrificing mother letters to other lame, desperate, vulnerable and impoverished in order to bring God closer. Several students encouraged it successfully as a priest and missionary work. A depressed teacher who completed her school brought in any discipline, she wrote:
"Do not be discouraged by the thought that you had too little authority. Your young students need to learn from you especially the virtue of patience and that your example will be wonderful help to improve them. I am certain. God love those little ants, for the sky reflected in them. "
One dancer of La Scala she whispered after the last Mass celebration after the holy. Viaticum received, taking leave of: "Never forget that you can be sacred everywhere!"
A doctor, the hospital trains escorted to Lourdes she says, after she returned twice uncured from there:
"They are truly fortunate to Doctor, that you are dedicated to this charitable works can. May the good Lord to keep alive a long time! Sursum corda! "Weeping, he squeezed her hand.
A student in exam distress was advised: "! Study hard, but not that it harms your health" One other, she wrote: "I do not know what it is you go on the exam, but dare in any case and take joyfully to the will of God. . . Certainly, my life is unspeakably sad, but I am still, for I know that God remember me. " . .
"Be a good mother to me and read the Sermon!" And the mother-dot on the hand of the daughter with an aching heart: "Blessed are the meek - saved the suffering, for they shall be comforted." . .
And musing once remarked Benedetta: "I have in life often and looked up to heaven, full of longing for the Divine Saviour. Here on earth we are all in a waiting room, like a train station. . . »
As on the last morning a bird trilling on her windowsill settled, Benedetta sang joyfully their last farewell song to God's beautiful world: Rondinella Pellegrina ...
Outside the garden but had the Mother discovered a white rose and gave it to the unsuspecting patient. A glimmer of joy flitted over the pale dead face. One last, painfully stammered, "Thank you," the beloved parent. Then went out down here Benedetta's voice to aufzujubeln in the eternal Easter Alleluia!
(SIAT nella gioia. Ital. Biography of Benedetta Bianchi Porro, Edizioni, Corsa dei Servi, Piazza San Carlo 2, Milano) Dr. M. Haesele, "Santa Rita", 17 Jg, No. 8, April 1968 Recommended Links: Benedetta Bianchi Porro
Santi e Beati: Venerabile Benedetta Bianchi Porro
PRAYER: Under the weight of grief and anguish of the pain, to thee, glorious St. Rita, full of confidence in your powerful intercession. 
