Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli

Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus

Feast Day: July 26th

Religious

Milan, Italy

Feast Day: July 26th

Religious

Milan, Italy

About

Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli (1890–1945) was an Italian religious sister of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception, known for her deep devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. Born Giuseppina de Micheli in Milan, Italy, she entered religious life in 1913 and took the name Sister Maria Pierina. Throughout her life, she experienced mystical visions, including revelations from Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary encouraging devotion to the Holy Face. She was asked to spread this devotion as a means of reparation for sin and blasphemy and to promote greater love of Christ’s suffering during His Passion. Her life was marked by humility, charity, and tireless devotion to prayer.

Legacy

Blessed Maria Pierina’s most enduring contribution is her promotion of the Holy Face devotion, especially through the Holy Face Medal, which she had struck in 1938 at the request of Christ in her visions. Pope Pius XII approved the medal in 1958 and encouraged devotion to the Holy Face, calling it a means of spiritual renewal and reparation. She died on July 26, 1945, in Milan, offering her sufferings in union with Christ. Pope John Paul II declared her “Blessed” on May 30, 2010. Today, she is remembered as a model of fidelity and devotion, inspiring Catholics to honor the suffering Face of Christ and seek His mercy.

“May the Holy Face of Jesus be my light, my strength, and my love.” — Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli