on Mother Maria Amata Fazio
Itala Fazio was born in Palermo on June 2, 1915. Her baptismal name, clearly patriotic in the climate of the First World War, became in religion Maria Amata, a name that we all remember with filial reference and simply: Mother Amata.
It was an existence entirely given to God, from childhood, tried by family difficulties due to the early death of the father. After obtaining her master’s degree, Itala wanted to implement her ideal of consecration by entering in 1934 the Institute of the Servants of the Poor, founded by Giacomo Cusmano. Here appreciated for her human and spiritual gifts, she carried out the delicate task of Novice Teacher.
But after a few years, more and more attracted by the ideal of a contemplative life, entirely dedicated to prayer, and overcome many difficulties, she made the transition to the Monastery of the Visitation of Palermo.
SHe entered it on 28 June 1948, the Solemnity of St. Francis de Sales, founder of the Order.
Her new name will be, significantly, Sister Maria Amata. Soon she became the guide, the soul of the Community that drew its support from its spirituality, its balance and its spirituality. Mother and Teacher: Beloved Mother was in all the fullness of the term.
With surprising courage she undertook the construction of the new monastery in the Barone Scala area, assisted by the wise treasurer, Sister Teresa Cherubina Formento, and by the professionalism and dedication of the Engineer N. Scibilia.
Mother Amata carried out other tasks within the Federation of Monasteries, and always showed availability and maternal attention to anyone who resorted to her.
The illness, the most serious of the various infirmities that accompanied her, stopped her in a condition of hemiplegia, which nevertheless allowed her to stay for a long time in prayer in her wheelchair at the S.Blessed Sacrament. Nine long years, precious in the eyes of God.
“I would like to be,” she wrote in her notes, “a burning brazier for the Lord, and reduce myself to poor ashes throbbing with love! A loving nothingness in the presence of the whole, in the presence of being!”
Hes lamp, which had reached its last flicker, went out on February 23, 2005.
Mother Amata had dictated, a few days earlier, in view of her imminent death, a supplication, which was proclaimed by Her Eminence, Cardinal De Giorgi, in her funeral:
“Lord, save me! That I may consume myself with love eternally! Dying of love: last docking when for a lifetime the anchors have been thrown into the celestial shores!…”
Her mortal remains were transferred in the same year 2005 to the Monastery of the Visitation where they rest in the internal chapel, a place of prayer dear to her.