Nicoletta Giordano (1912-07-04)4 July 1912 Naples, Italy
Died
21 June 2006(2006-06-21) (aged 93) Bibbiena, Arezzo, Italy
Maria Petra Giordano, OP (born Nicoletta Giordano; 4 July 1912 – 21 June 2006) was an Italian Dominican nun from Monastero de Santa Maria del Sasso. Her cause for beatification has been initiated.[1]
Giordano was born in Naples on 4 July 1912, the firstborn of nine children. Her father, Luigi, had a company with 350 workers. In 1927, the Giordanos had a difficult time when Luigi did not want to join the National Fascist Party. Consequently, they moved to Rome where her father accepted a job as a clerk in a shop.[2]
From an early age, Giordano was known to be obedient, lively and caring of others.[2] She did not neglect her Christian commitment and her own spirituality, so much so that she joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and assiduously collaborated with parish activities. Due to her mother's recurring illness and frailty, she also took charge of providing for her siblings's needs.[2]
At about twenty years of age, Giordano consecrated herself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a victim soul.[2] Likewise, she began to develop a strong attraction for religious life and, in particular, for Dominican spirituality. At first, her family duties held her back from making this choice. On 4 November 1934, after finally receiving the approval of her family, at the age of twenty-two, she entered the Monastery of Bibbiena, near Santa Maria del Sasso, Arezzo to devote herself to a life of contemplation.[2]
Within the community she held important offices: mistress of novices, prioress of the monastery and also a member of the commission for the updating of the Constitutions after the Second Vatican Council.[2]
Giordano died on 21 June 2006, with the reputation for holiness.[2]
On 7 October 2013, Rev. Fra Francesco Maria Ricci OP, the appointed postulator, requested the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro with the Supplex libellus to introduce the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of the Maria Petra Giordano.[3]
In February 2014, Bishop of Riccardo Fontana of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro began the initial steps for investigating the possibility of Giordano's canonization, granting her the current title of "Servant of God".[3] On 23 June 2016, the diocesan phase of the Giordano's beatification process concluded.[4]
