Heroism is possible at 18 years of age. This was recognized by the Pope when he approved a decree by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which states that Chiara Badano practiced the Christian virtues in a heroic way. According to the normal procedure of the beatification process, the 18 year old youth has now been declared “venerable.” This is the step before beatification, if a miracle and its authenticity are acknowledged.

Chiara Luce ended her “earthly journey” on October 7, 1990, two years after a long painful illness, a bone tumor, had progressively sapped all her strength, although it did not affect her joy in living, a joy which was attained with heroism.

“Heroism is when virtuous behavior is prolonged in time and is made particularly difficult, to the point of exceeding the normal way of acting, showing in this way the constant determination to conform to the will of God in everything,” Bishop Emeritus of Acqui, Mons. Livio explained.

Knowing the Gospel and encountering a God who is close to us, who himself suffered and whom she rediscovered in the figure of Jesus as he cried out his abandonment from the Father on the cross, have helped her in the most difficult moments of her period of trial.

Chiara Badano was born in Sassello (Savona) on October 29, 1971 after her parents had waited for a child 11 years. In 1981 she participated, together with her mother and father, in the Familyfest in Rome, a worldwide event of the Focolare Movement. This was the start of a new life for all three of them. Fascinated by the Gospel, Chiara decided to live it in a radical way. She started to love everyone in her small village, from her school friends to all those who passed by her.

She was only 17 when a severe pain in her shoulder during a game of tennis drew her doctors’ attention. Many clinical exams were done to establish the cause of this pain. Soon the cause of this severe pain was discovered: a bone tumor. Other medical investigations and tests followed, and at the end of February 1989 Chiara had her first operation, with very slight hopes. Her stays at the hospital of Turin become more frequent and the treatments, which Chiara handled with great courage, became very painful. At every new, painful “surprise” her offering was certain: “For you Jesus, if you want this, then I want it too!”

In spite of the seriousness of her condition, Chiara participated personally, with joy and enthusiasm, in the Focolare Movement’s life, whenever her health allowed her to do so.

Soon a new period of trial arrived: Chiara lost the use of her limbs. Another painful operation was futile. This made her suffer very much: she felt as if she were in a dark tunnel. However, she found the strength to start loving again and soon the light returned. “If I had to choose between walking or going to Heaven,” she told someone, “I would no doubt choose to go to Heaven. This is all that interests me now.”

Ever since she was small, she had committed herself to live the Gospel 100%, in spite of the ups and downs of adolescence. While talking to friends in her diary she once wrote: “I came out of your lives in an instant. How I would have liked to stop that train which was taking me away from you! I could not understand. I was still full of many ambitions, projects and many other things (which now seem so insignificant, futile and transient). A new world was awaiting me and I could not do anything, but abandon myself to it. But now I feel surrounded by a wonderful plan which is little by little revealing itself to me.”

Her doctor, a non-believer and a strong critic of the Church, was deeply touched by her witness and that of her parents. “Since I met Chiara, something has changed inside me. There is coherence here, and here I can understand Christianity.”

Her relationship with Chiara Lubich was very close: she kept her updated about her health, about her conquests and discoveries. On December 30, 1989 Chiara Lubich answered: “…I feel that you are ready to adhere to the love of God and to give him your continuous ‘yes.’ I am following you constantly with my prayers and with all my love. As you wished I have chosen a Word of Life for you: ‘Who remains in me and I in Him, he will bring much fruit.’ Bye, Chiara! I ask the Holy Spirit the gift of strength for you, so that your soul, because of your love for Jesus Forsaken, may always ‘sing’…”

Although now she could no longer move, Chiara was still very active. She followed the growing group of the Youth for a United World of Savona by telephone; she was a part of Congresses and various activities through messages, postcards, posters; she did all she could to help her friends and classmates meet the Gen … She invited many to the Genfest 1990 (an international event of the Youth for a United World held in Rome in May 1990), which she followed live on TV, thanks to a satellite dish installed on the roof of her house.

At the start of summer the doctors decided to stop the treatment: the illness could no longer be stopped. The young girl immediately informed Chiara Lubich about her situation. She wrote to her on July 19, 1990: “Medicine has put down its arms. Since the therapy has been stopped, the pain in my back has increased and I can hardly turn on my side. I feel so small and the road I must take is so hard…, sometimes I feel suffocated by the pain. But it is my spouse who visits me, isn’t it? Yes, I repeat with you too: ‘If you want this, then I want it too’ …I am with you, certain that with Him we will win over the world!”

Chiara Lubich answered by return mail: “Chiara, do not be afraid to give Him your yes in every moment. He will give you the strength, be sure of this! Even I pray for this and I am with you always. God loves you immensely and wants to penetrate in the innermost of your soul and make you experience drops of Heaven. “Chiara Luce is the name I have chosen for you; do you like it? It is the light of the Ideal which wins over the world. I send it to you with all my love…”

As the illness worsened, greater doses of morphine had to be administered but Chiara Luce refused: “It will remove my lucidity and I have only my suffering to offer to Jesus.”

In a moment of special physical suffering she confided to her mother that she was singing, “Here I am, God, in front of You…” It was now clear to her that she would soon meet Him and she prepared herself. One morning, after a difficult night, she spontaneously repeated at short intervals, “Come, Lord Jesus.” At 11am a priest of the Movement visited her unexpectedly. Chiara Luce was very happy. In fact when she woke up, she had a great desire to receive Jesus Eucharist. This Eucharist became her viaticum.

Chiara left for Heaven on October 7, 1990. She had planned everything beforehand: the songs for her funeral, the flowers, her hairstyle, the white dress which she wanted to wear like that of a bride’s… She suggested, “Mom, when you are preparing me, you have to repeat: now Chiara Luce is seeing Jesus … Be happy because I am happy.” Her father had asked her if she was ready to donate her corneas: she answered with a bright smile. Immediately after Chiara’s departure for Heaven her parents received a telegram from Chiara Lubich: “Let us thank God for this radiant masterpiece.”

Her fame spread: Chiara Luce soon became the point of reference for many young people who find in her story a meaning for their lives, a timeless ideal. Every October 7, on the anniversary date of her death, many people gather in the cemetery of Sassello (Savona) to remember her.

“The proclamation of Chiara Luce as venerable,” Mons. Maritano stated, “stimulates us to imitate her example, which shows us a concrete way to live the Gospel: another confirmation that today Christianity can still be practiced, even by youths and in ordinary situations of life.” He continued, “It is good to make her witness known, since her example can be of help to people of all ages and all walks of life.”

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