THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THERESA WHICH THERESA

GABRIELI WAS BORN GABRIELI WAS BORN AND LIVEDAND LIVED

1837 - 19081837 - 1908

Theresa was born in Theresa was born in BergamoBergamo, on, on September 13th, September 13th, 18371837, seventh , seventh of the nine of the nine children of children of Gabrieli house.Gabrieli house.

Her family was a Her family was a modest one, that modest one, that lived on the products lived on the products of the vegetable of the vegetable gardens, sold at the gardens, sold at the Retail TradeRetail Trade. .

On January 31st, 1869On January 31st, 1869

Angela MariaAngela Maria marries marries PietroPietro SpiniSpini

Elisabetta Elisabetta marries marries Francesco MonettiFrancesco Monetti

Her father falls ill Her father falls ill and has a dream…and has a dream…

… … if the Lord if the Lord should want something from her.should want something from her.

… … sell the cow, take sell the cow, take Theresa to the College andTheresa to the College and

make her study.make her study.

Her father, Her father, very beloved and reputedvery beloved and reputed, dies in , dies in 1852.1852.

On November 24th, 1854, Theresa receives On November 24th, 1854, Theresa receives the diploma of teacher of higher degree.the diploma of teacher of higher degree.

On On April 4th, 1861,April 4th, 1861, Monsignor Speranza launches Monsignor Speranza launches

an appeal to “check the evil an appeal to “check the evil that threatens the youth”.that threatens the youth”.

OnOn October 28th, 1861, October 28th, 1861,

Theresa Theresa movesmoves into some into some rooms rented in rooms rented in Via Osio, 24 Via Osio, 24 andand opens a private school opens a private school

with her name.with her name.

On July 17th, 1863, On July 17th, 1863, Theresa sees her Theresa sees her dear mother die.dear mother die.

September 1866:September 1866: Theresa is in the Pious Work Theresa is in the Pious Work as as “caretaker”“caretaker” and on and on February 9th, 1868February 9th, 1868 is is chosen as chosen as “vice-superior”.“vice-superior”.

November 1868, November 1868, the the giftgift::

MOLGORI.MOLGORI.

May 22nd, 1869:May 22nd, 1869:

the the OFFEROFFER..

So Theresa is the first one So Theresa is the first one of Poverelle Sistersof Poverelle Sisters

she is left alone until November she is left alone until November 21st of the same year, when 21st of the same year, when Giuditta Broletti, “the companion Giuditta Broletti, “the companion that God has given me”, joins her.that God has given me”, joins her.

OnOn March 1st, 1870, March 1st, 1870, another companion joined another companion joined Theresa and Giuditta: Theresa and Giuditta:

Maria Flutti Maria Flutti “poor woman in “poor woman in dowry but full of virtue”.dowry but full of virtue”.

On On MayMay 22nd, 1870, 22nd, 1870, the opening of the the opening of the house is house is commemorated: the commemorated: the sisters get up at one sisters get up at one hour after midnight. In hour after midnight. In this day this day Father Father Superior delivers the Superior delivers the crowncrown..

December 8th, 1870: December 8th, 1870: Caterina BrolettiCaterina Broletti is is accepted.accepted.

On On October 15th, October 15th, 18711871, , MariettaMarietta PeverelliPeverelli joins the joins the small Community.small Community.

1872:1872: April 2ndApril 2nd Irene TestaIrene Testa August 15th August 15th Teresa RovelliTeresa Rovelli October 15th October 15th Assunta Assunta

GabrieliGabrieli

1874:1874: Vanali AngelaVanali Angela Luigia ParoliniLuigia Parolini Elisa LironiElisa Lironi

On October 9th, 1874,On October 9th, 1874,

““The Poverelle Sisters of S. Dorothy went into The Poverelle Sisters of S. Dorothy went into their new convent. Some oil was eaten and their new convent. Some oil was eaten and some penitence was imposed about until some penitence was imposed about until midday. It was day of exultation”.midday. It was day of exultation”.

May 12th, 1886:May 12th, 1886:

““A very fine news … yesterday at A very fine news … yesterday at half past 2 in the afternoon our half past 2 in the afternoon our right Reverend Monsignor the right Reverend Monsignor the Bishop took us the decree of the Bishop took us the decree of the approval of our rules and of our approval of our rules and of our Institute. What a feast... what a Institute. What a feast... what a consolation…”.consolation…”.

On June 15th, 1886, father Luis serenely On June 15th, 1886, father Luis serenely

passes away, when he is only 58 years oldpasses away, when he is only 58 years old..

the Congregation is 17 years old, it the Congregation is 17 years old, it has has 12 12 communities and communities and 47 47 sisters sisters (15 have already died in the (15 have already died in the meantime); meantime); an uncertain group of Brothers of an uncertain group of Brothers of the H. Family and many mouths to the H. Family and many mouths to feed, with resources often runningfeed, with resources often running out.out.

Mother Theresa, disconsolate but Mother Theresa, disconsolate but also strong and fearless, throws also strong and fearless, throws herself into the arms of the Father herself into the arms of the Father who “knows that we have here the who “knows that we have here the most miserable …”.most miserable …”.

February 6th, 1908:February 6th, 1908: Theresa concludes her earthly experience.Theresa concludes her earthly experience.

The Congregation has 33 communities and 217 sisters.