Clotilde Micheli was an Italian religious sister born in 1849 who established the Sisters of Angels. Known in her religious life as Maria Serafina of the Sacred Heart, she dedicated herself to the adoration of the Eucharist. After experiencing various spiritual callings and periods of discernment, she founded her own congregation in 1891 with the authorization of the Bishop of Caserta. She died in 1911 in Faicchio, leaving behind a growing religious order that eventually expanded beyond Italy.
Life and mission
Born in Imer, Micheli felt a strong religious inclination from a young age. Following a series of spiritual experiences and a pilgrimage to Rome, she sought to fulfill a perceived mission to found a congregation focused on Eucharistic adoration. After serving in other religious orders, she formally established the Sisters of Angels in 1891. During her leadership, the order grew to include fifteen houses, including a formation center in Faicchio.
Veneration
The Catholic Church recognized her heroic virtues, leading to her being named a Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Following an investigation into a miracle, she was beatified in Benevento in 2011. Her feast day is observed on 24 March, marking the anniversary of her death. Her remains are kept in Faicchio, where she is honored by the community.