Born in on February 4, 1805, in Vallecorsa, Italy, about 75 miles southeast of Rome, Maria Matilde De Mattias was destined to become one of the instruments of God's hands to accomplish the spiritual renewal so sorely needed in the Italy of that time. She would do this by her own works and those of the religious community she founded, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

Rooted in the spirituality of the Blood of Christ, she oriented her life to the contemplation of the Redemptive Mystery and its proclamation to everyone through catechesis, preaching, and teaching. Along with her intense apostolic activity, in many aspects avant ­garde and prophetic, she lived a life of profound contemplation nourished at the solid roots of the Redemption Mystery, to the point of reaching mystic stature.

Over 137 years after her death, the Catholic Church formally recognized her as a saint. Her canonization date was May 18, 2003. More of her story can be found by clicking on the links at the right of this page.