On Monday Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the audience he authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning causes of Heroic Virtues and Martyrdom.

The Holy Father authorised the promulgation of decree under the cause of Heroic Virtue to the Servant of God Margerita De Brincat, foundress of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, proclaiming her Venerable.

Last Tuesday Cardinals and Bishops within the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in Rome met in ordinary session of judgement, during which they voted positively in favour that the Pope should declare the Servant of God Madre Margherita De Brincat, daughter of the Gozo diocese, as Venerable. This session was led by Cardinal J. Harvey and also present was Fr Gianni Califano Postulator OFM.

A miracle through the intercession of Mother Margherita is the next step that will lead to her beatification and declared Blessed.

Mother Margherita De Brincat passed away on January the 22nd 1952. She was baptised at St George’s parish, Victoria and this is where her new religious congregation was also born.

An event that occurred in Gozo and left its mark on many parts of the world, was the foundation of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus in 1880. This congregation had its origins in the Association of the Twelve Stars of the Heart of Jesus, initiated in Victoria by a group of young girls whose spiritual director was Fr Joseph Diacono, at that time assistant Parish Priest at St George’s.

Fr Diacono, then, committed himself in transforming this association in a diocesan religious congregation, first with the name of Franciscan Tertiaries and later, Franciscan Sisters of Malta.

As time passed, this congregation was given Papal approval and to express its charism better, the name was changed to Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus.

In the Constitutions of this Congregation, while Fr Joseph Diacono initiated the congregation, there was also Mother Margerita, who through a divine disposition, led it on, cultivated it, and brought it to maturity. Mother Margherita, born Virginia Debrincat in Kercem, was trained at Fr Diacono’s school.

Virginia De Brincat was baptised at St George’s Parish Church, Victoria, on 28 November 1862, exactly hundred and fifty years ago. At the age of 27, inspired by the Holy Spirit, she decided to run the congregation and managed to overcome the crisis that had almost brought it to an end.

Today, the congregation is still strong and on the 22nd of January 2000.

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