Brief Biography of The Servant Of God
Mother Teresa Lanfranco
Mother Teresa Lanfranco was born in the town of Gallipoli on March 24, 1920, and was later baptized in April in the Parish of Saint Francis as Annunciata Addolorata.
She spent most of her childhood at home learning the good examples of human and Christian life portrayed by her beloved parents. When she was seventeen, the now servant of God Elisa Martinez, invited her to share in her ideals of consecration and apostolate for the interest of the parish and the education of girls under the protection of the Virgin Mary.
The Virgin Mary as a model of a virtuous life, who was also known by the title of “Madonna dei Fiori” in her beloved town became her inspiration and has inspired her in so many ways. This was a kind of devotion she always cultivated and transmitted to her novices and in the hearts of adolescents in the first fruits of her parish apostolate in Miggiano. The devotion of Mary was one of the cornerstones of Mother Teresa’s spirituality. She lived a life full of devotion to Our Lady, expressing it in several ways especially by praying the Holy Rosary, her favorite prayer and her constant companion throughout the years.
In 1938, Mother Elisa, in collaboration with Mother Teresa, founded the (Pious Union of the Sisters of Immaculate) in Miggiano and was joined by a group of young ladies burning with the desire to follow in their footsteps as they serve the Lord with faithful hearts through Mary. In 1941, it was recognized as an Institute of Diocesan Right bearing the name Daughters of Saint Mary of Leuca in honor of Mary adored in the shrine of Leuca, in the region of Salento. Since the beginning of the Institute, Mother Teresa was the loyal disciple and confidant of Mother Elisa Martinez.
At the early age of 21, the Mother Foundress chose her to guide other aspirants into religious life. With her exemplary devotion and firm virtues in serving the Lord, she was appointed as the Mistress of the Novices. She continually took refuge at the feet of Jesus present in the Most Holy Eucharist, from whom she sincerely asked for light, inspiration, support, and comfort for her spiritual nourishment and guidance to help her fulfill the duties entrusted to her.
In the Institute, Mother Teresa Lanfranco held the offices of Vicar General, General Treasurer, and Novice Mistress. She was esteemed by many for being an absolute Religious and for her eminent virtues.
Mother Teresa always said to the novices:
“Holiness is made up of little things put together day after day, like a mosaic made from small pieces. It is in daily fidelity that we sanctify ourselves; that everyday life that can become monotonous if we do not live it in the light of God”.
The last years of her life were greatly devoted in prayer, offering her sufferings and prayer for the Church, the growth of the Institute, the sanctification of every nun, of the priests, and of all humanity.
After having spent her entire life building up God’s Kingdom through prayer and apostolate, she died a holy death on the 8th of June 1989, in Rome. In August 2017, the mortal remains of Mother Teresa were relocated in the Chapel of the Generalate House of the Daughters of St. Mary of Leuca in Rome.
Her Cause of Beatification and Canonization was introduced on the 14th of July 2018 and was concluded on the 20th of July 2019. Her fame of holiness has been spreading and growing constantly, thus, we hope to see Mother Teresa Lanfranco be declared as a saint by the Magisterium of the Universal Church with conviction.
