Have you ever felt misunderstood? 

Some saints were intensely popular in their lifetime, loved by their families, their community, and even the entire world. But Bertilla Boscardin wasn’t so lucky. 

From an early age, Bertilla dealt with rejection and cruelty. Her father was an alcoholic and regularly went into a violent rage when he was drinking. At school, things weren’t any easier. Bertilla struggled academically and couldn’t keep up with the other students. She was teased and called names. Even the local priest insulted her by calling her a goose! 

Later in life, Bertilla quietly joined a convent. Although she had very little skill, she had her faith and a deep love for serving others. When Bertilla was assigned to work with children in a diphtheria unit, something shifted: people began to notice how caring she was, how good she was with the children. After she died years later from surgery complications, that is how she was remembered: as someone with a tender heart for the sick. Someone who served tirelessly and thanklessly for years. Finally, people saw Bertilla for who she really was.

Sometimes it might feel like people don’t see you for who you really are. It might feel like your path forward is unclear, even to you. But there’s a famous prayer by Saint John Henry Newman that is perfect for times like these: 

God has created me to do Him some definite service. 

He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. 

I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. 

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. 

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good—I shall do his work.

Only one thing was necessary for Bertilla to flourish… and for you to flourish too: trust God and trust his mission for your life. Throughout history, wherever you find men and women genuinely striving to live this way, you will find people thriving, blossoming, and flourishing. You will find saints, whether the world recognized them at the time or not.



Feast Day: October 20 

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin

Patron Saint of: Rejection

Canonized: May 11, 1961

Canonized By: Pope John XXIII