Elisabetta Renzi entered the Conservatory in Coriano at 37 in August 1824, following the guidance of her spiritual director, Fr. Vitale Corbucci, who assured her that the Lord was calling her to give a "good education to young women."
At the Conservatory, she found joy in carrying out God's will. She realized the ministry of education was her calling, serving the students, her companions, and the town's people with humility and compassion. All noted her gifts, and many sought her counsel.
After tumultuous events that tarnished the Conservatory's reputation and unsuccessful attempts at consolidation with other religious orders (the Canossian Congregation of the Daughters of Charity and the Pious Teachers Venerini of Rome), the Bishop of Rimini appointed Elisabetta as the superior to manage the house. Elisabetta chose a deep spiritual life as the foundation for the community, and in 1829, wrote the Rule of Life for the Poor of the Crucified living in Coriano.
From 1830-1839
Elisabetta encountered numerous challenges and realized she would have to establish a new congregation on her own. She passionately wished to wear the religious habit and embark on a journey of holiness through education and catechesis. Throughout the difficulties and struggles of those years, she encouraged her sisters, "Let us be confident that the stormy day will soon end, and it will not be long until the day of our spiritual wedding and the taking of the habit. To become saints, the cross and grace are necessary."
While awaiting the opportunity to establish a new congregation, she continued her work as an educator, focusing on establishing schools in small towns to provide education for neglected girls.
The main issue at the time was providing education for girls from small towns who were neglected by the state, and Elisabetta focused on addressing this need. She established schools in areas where none existed. On February 2, 1838, she wrote to the bishop, "Your Excellency, …it is only the desire that the Lord may be greatly honored through the education given to the young women, and it is because I want to respond to that call that the Lord made me hear, and that I see now come into realization after having pondered within my heart all his inspirations, and these I always kept that there may be schools in each village."
In 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 b1839ut Him. He is everything and sufficient for everything and everyone."
Jesus is here. And He is always with you. He alone has founded the Congregation; He alone will keep watch over it. I didn’t do anything! I have done nothing but undo His work. Let us love our good God! I, in the blessedness that I hope to reach through His goodness and mercy, you in humility and struggle.
Blessed Elisabetta Renzi
PLACES OF MOTHER ELISABETTA
Historical images of the places associated with our Foundress, Blessed Elisabetta Renzi.
