Blessed Chiara Badano

Blessed Chiara Badano was born on October 29, 1971 in Savona (northern Italy). She came to know the Focolare Movement when she was in the third year of school (1980), but around the same time – in 1988 – the first signs of an illness appeared which, upon diagnosis, revealed to be a bone tumour in the final stage. From the treatments that followed, she began to live in great union with Jesus. On May 13, 1990, she asked to discontinue her treatments so that she could return home, where she died on October 7, 1990. She was beatified on September 25, 2010. Her feast day is celebrated on October 29.

Tennis racket and ribbon 

Chiara did not shy away from challenges, such as playing a demanding sport like tennis, for example. But the greatest challenge she faced was her cancer – symbolized by a ribbon – which she endured with love and a contagious smile.  

Prayer

Father of immense goodness, 
who by the merits of your Son and the gift of the Spirit 
endowed Blessed Chiara Badano with an ardent love, 
deeply transform our spirit,
so that we too, following her example,
may always be able to fulfill your holy will with serene trust,
making WYD Lisbon 2023 an occasion of encounter with Christ. 
Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.   

See here all the Patrons of WYD Lisbon 2023.