Blessed Clelia Merloni

Every day you have opportunities to win hearts to the Heart of Jesus.

- Blessed Clelia Merloni

Drawn by devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that flourished in the Church of her time, Clelia Merloni made Jesus the King and Center of her heart. Like the first Apostles, she wanted to express in her own life and in her apostolate the deep faith in and love for Jesus that inflamed her and drew her to love Him, even to the cross.

Mother Clelia's spirituality was rooted in contemplation of the Paschal Mystery, symbolized by the pierced Heart, mystery of life and death, sign of love and salvation. It took form in an ardent search for God and for souls, in a constant desire to transcend self in order to conform to Christ, even to the total sacrifice of self. It manifested itself in an unquenchable fire of love and zeal to make the Heart of Jesus known and loved.

Home Where Blessed Clelia was born in Forli, Italy — House in Forli, Italy where Blessed Clelia was born

Happy the soul who can say from the heart, 'Dear Jesus, I seek you alone, Your love, Your grace, Your glory.'

- Blessed Clelia Merloni

God alone was the motivating force of Mother Clelia's life. She felt drawn to make reparation for the ingratitude Jesus received from so many people. Her loving fidelity, especially through Eucharistic adoration, was the passionate expression of this reparation. Because of her own intimate union with God, she wanted to awaken in all people a deep desire for God and to help bring them to an understanding of His goodness, mercy, and compassion.

To a world torn by hatred and indifference toward God and His Church, a world in which people sought false images of salvation and happiness, Mother Clelia presented the Heart of Christ - "which has so loved us..." - as the fulfillment of all expectations, the fountain of life, the source of happiness and salvation. Mother Clelia entrusted this legacy to her daughters, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, more than 100 years ago.

If you want those entrusted to you to become saints, you must first make every effort to become on yourself.

- Blessed Clelia Merloni

Mother Clelia felt drawn to the urban poor who suffered greatly during the time of the Industrial Revolution in northern Italy. Requesting a blessing from the bishop of Como, Italy, Mother Clelia stated that she and the sisters wanted to "dedicate ourselves to the active religious life, gathering orphans and poor, abandoned and underprivileged girls."

Today's challenges are different from those of Clelia's time: the fast pace of life, the lack of supportive extended family, ethical questions in science and technology. Yet, some are strangely the same: bodily and spiritual hunger, the search for meaningful living, the need to be loved and appreciated.

Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus place themselves in the service of the Church and of the people of God. By virtue of their consecration, they are sent in mission. The power and creativity of their missionary zeal flow from the living out of the charism of profound love for God and for others as envisioned by Mother Clelia.

You can learn more about the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at www.ascjus.org

Blessed Clelia Merloni

Foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Blessed Clelia Merloni made Jesus the King and Center of her heart.