The saints do not fear death, seeing it as a passage into eternal happiness. For them, life is a "waiting room of paradise," with death as a gateway to a joyous celebration and divine encounter. It is not an end but a transition from the present to the infinite.
Elisabetta lived in the eschatological dimension, with neither anguish nor anxiety. A biographer states that Elisabetta speaks of heaven as if she had been there and of the vanities of this world with such sweet irony that one cannot refrain from smiling.
This attitude is evident in her writings. In a letter to the sisters in Cotignola, she expressed, "I wish you a successful battle and unwavering courage until death, so that in heaven you may place the crowns you have earned at the feet of Jesus." To other sisters, she remarked, "Sanctity is the fruit of sacrifice—it is the death and resurrection." In 1857, she wrote, "A feast requires preparation. We prepare for Easter with Lent; we prepare for eternal life with our current lives. It will be an eternal feast, filled with unending glory!"
1859
On August 14, 1859, after a life of struggle and suffering but also of great spiritual joy, Blessed Elisabetta passed away, leaving a profound legacy to her Congregation and the universal Church. Her life exemplified holiness and great trust in God, a testament to her unwavering faith and dedication.
Upon hearing the sound of the bell announcing the priest's arrival, she whispered, "I ask pardon of everyone for all my faults and omissions. Pray for me! Goodbye, beloved daughters; be generous with the Lord. I carry you all in my heart and bless you. We will see each other up there in heaven...up there… and from up there, I will tell you again to be grateful to the Lord. Let your faithfulness be your thanksgiving since the more you receive, the more God will ask of you, my daughters." At 8:00 a.m., Elisabetta seemed to be dozing off, and then she opened her eyes and whispered, "I see!… I see!… I see!" before passing away.
1839
Mother Elisabetta's profound faith and humility were evident when the canonical establishment of her congregation and her first profession were delayed. She remained trusting in Providence, believing that her actions were solely for the glory of God. "I believe that what I have done, I have done for the glory of God. Only for the glory of God did I begin the work of the congregation."
On August 26, 1839, the bishop of Rimini, Francesco Gentilini, canonically established the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows in Coriano. Three days later, Elisabetta and ten companions received the religious habit of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows and made their first profession, expressing their joy in religious life: "How good is the Lord!" She said, "I find no words to express my happiness in religious life. Every day, I appreciate it more; here, there is no one but Him. He is everything and sufficient for everything and everyone."
I believe that what I have done, I have done for the glory of God. Only for the glory of God did I begin the work of the congregation.
Blessed Elisabetta Renzi
PLACES OF MOTHER ELISABETTA
Historical images of the places associated with our Foundress, Blessed Elisabetta Renzi.
Goodbye, beloved daughters; be generous with the Lord.
I carry you all in my heart and bless you. We will see each other up there in heaven, and from up there, I will tell you again to be grateful to the Lord. Let your faithfulness be your thanksgiving, since the more you receive, the more God will ask of you, my daughters.
Blessed Elisabetta Renzi