Historical portrait of Mother Clotilde Gigli
Elisa, the baptismal name of Mother Clotilde Gigli, was born on January 18, 1872. Growing up, little Elisa found herself in the midst of a lively majority of siblings, in a noisy and joyful house, but her aunt and uncle who were childless had a certain soft spot for their niece and took her with them with her parents’ permission. She grew up beautiful, happy, strong, and well. In the school of the Sisters of St. Joseph, he passed with flying colors. The first biographer Giulio Melani, who later had great importance in Elisa’s future and whom the sisters considered as the co-founder, wrote: “She was so intelligent and devoted to her studies that while she was at school. She was one of the first among his companions. Likewise, his piety and devotion were very intense and uplifting. She had a lively character and was open in her relationship, but endowed with strong faith and delicate modesty. He wanted nothing but church, studies, and work.”
His uncle’s thoughts did not coincide with those of his niece. From this moment Elisa begins to cultivate a different and greater dream, that of consecrating her life to God, that of living totally dedicated to Him, and that of serving Him in the midst of her most needy neighbors. “On April 17, 1890, at the age of 18, Elisa was accepted as a postulant in the House of the Institute in Florence.” Elisa was deeply in love with God, she was totally dedicated to the One who manifested himself to her with his human face and in the loving Heart of Jesus. As a result, Jesus’ name will make more movement than his heart. This is clearly manifested in some of his letters that say “Those who love Jesus fly but do not walk towards those who love Jesus and are with Jesus and do everything for Jesus nothing is difficult, nothing is tiring. She is always in bliss.”
“On June 21, 1981, just over a year after her entry into the convent, Elisa celebrated her dressing as a religious.” The habit becomes a sign of his full belonging to God and to the religious institute. On the day of her dress, Elisa takes her new name Clotilde Gigli, which indicates her new identity. Thus began his year of novitiate. “After the Novitiate, on June 24, 1892, he made the vows through which he committed himself to living in poverty and obedience for love of God.”
Since her superiors found her suitable and mature sufficiency for missionary life, she was sent to Tunisia to render her services at the hospital. He carried out his responsibilities and duties as much as possible. The sick felt reassured and comforted by his presence and service. Unfortunately, some health problems allowed Sister Clotilde Gigli to move to Empoli. His life grew in a renewed and continual, “Here I am Lord.” Then she was sent to Malta and ran a conservatory for local and aristocratic girls. Again, due to health problems, she was transferred to Empoli.
Despite the strength of his faith, the death of his parents deeply wounded his heart. However, this suffering did not enclose her in her shell. His constant attention to God supported his vigilance, attentive to events, which went beyond his personal problems. It was during the meditation of a night spent in prayer and assistance, with his dying father, that he had the idea of asking his superiors to open a house in Antignano where, in addition to the education of children and young people, the institute could have a house near the sea.
In 1910 Antignano was a town where they were mostly poor. Unemployment was rampant and women were forced to do domestic services to the upper class of society to help their family. The poverty was great. There was a lack of social assistance. Obviously, those who suffered most in this situation were the children. This was the situation in which the sisters of the Institute of St. Joseph of the Apparition had arrived in Antignano.
From 1915 the young women asked to be welcomed into the community and with the permission of the Bishop the dressing was also done. They increase the number and quality of the apostolate. Unfortunately, they received the order to dissolve the community and reduce the sisters to a secular place. The order received was like a cold spring night. Although Sister Clotilde Gigli had no intention of continuing with the Institute at any cost, she wanted God’s will to be done. The Bishop himself was distributed and looked for possible ways. Unable to approve the constitutions, she advised the sisters to transform them into rules of life. The new constitutions were largely inspired by those of the Institute of St. Joseph of the Apparition that had arrived in Antignano. They opened the nursery and shortly afterward started with the technical institute for youth, catechists, youth recreation center, church service, and care for the sick. It was amazing what this small group of four sisters could do. After losing Sr. Elena who was superior, the situation became incredibly assured. Sr. Blandina assumes the responsibility of superior. However, after a short period of tranquility, Blandina began to show her true self. It became intolerable with the girls, residents of the orphanage, and those of the technical institute. On the other hand, it began charging monthly fees that were beyond the resources of the local population to discourage families from sending their children to the center. He wants the house to be a residence for summer tourists, which requires less work and a high income. Clotilde and two sisters were confused: “Is this God’s will or will she listen and respond to the needs of the people, the poor, and the children?” The answer from Marseilles was that the sisters had to leave Antignano. Although the bishop and the parish priest prayed to the superiors of Marseilles, the answer was that if the sisters stayed, they had to ask for the canonical dispensation of their vows from Rome and return the habit of the Institute. Sister Clotilde, Agata, and Gonzaga remained in Antignano with the blessing of the Bishop. In Sister Clotilde’s attitude, there was a courageous desire to cling to God and a strong will to obey Him from whom she asked for unattainable strength. Many young women asked to be welcomed into the new Institute of Antignano. In 1918 the community increased from three to fourteen. There was a mysterious force that attracted them. It seems that this was God’s way of manifesting his prediction for the Institute that had been so much questioned. After a long period of prayer, Mother Clotilde and another nun planned to go to Rome with Fr. Ducceschi. The result was positive, on June 23, 1922, Msgr. Giovanni Piccoini issued a “decree” confirming and founding the new Congregation of the Little Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. It was necessary to start over. After a spiritual retreat, they renewed and validated their religious profession to the Bishop. With the presidency of the Bishop, his secretary, and the parish priest, the sisters elected the Superior General, the Vicaress, the Councilors, the Mistress of Novices, and the Bursar. Those who truly love God are immersed in their lives on a very special level. It seems that Mother Clotilde Gigli’s heart and mind were lifted even though her feet remained firmly on the earth where she faced the realities of the world. She was a woman who carried the wood of the cross on her shoulders. Despite the good humor with which he covered his sufferings and promoted his joy and happiness; Despite her radiant smile that showed kindness, she suffered continuously. Gradually his health was deteriorating. He had assimilated the passion of Christ. On March 11, 1928, he joined his beloved Lord.