Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri, born on February 23, 1891, in Borgo Vercelli, Italy, lived a life shaped by deep spirituality and total dedication to serving society’s most marginalized. As a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne-Antide Thouret, her mission reached its peak within the walls of the San Vittore prison in Milan, where her work with inmates earned her the title “The Angel of San Vittore.”

Childhood and Vocation

Enrichetta’s compassion and devotion were evident from an early age. At the age of 20, she entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity. She received her religious training in Brescia, where she nurtured her love for Christ and the poor—traits that would become central to her spiritual and service-filled life.

Her Mission at San Vittore

In 1923, Enrichetta was assigned to work at the San Vittore prison in Milan, where she found her true calling: serving the prisoners, many of whom had been abandoned by society. She not only tended to practical needs like caring for the sick and distributing food, but she also became a spiritual mother and a source of comfort and hope to the inmates, many of whom were suffering deeply.

During World War II, her work became even more vital. Despite the dangers, she helped political prisoners and Jews by offering spiritual and material support, even at the risk of her own life. In 1944, she was arrested by the Nazis but was later released thanks to the intervention of a prison official who recognized her courage and dedication.

A Spirituality of Service and Charity

Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri’s spiritual life was marked by a profound connection with Christ’s suffering, which she saw reflected in the vulnerable people she served. Her life was deeply rooted in constant prayer and active charity that knew no boundaries. For Enrichetta, every prisoner was a reflection of the suffering Christ, and her mission was to bring them God’s love and mercy.

Enrichetta embraced a vision of charity as a concrete expression of divine love. Following the charism of St. Jeanne-Antide Thouret, the founder of her congregation, she understood that true charity went beyond providing material goods. It involved offering spiritual and human accompaniment that dignified each person, especially those marginalized by society.

Her Legacy

Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri passed away on November 23, 1951, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy. Her life stands as a testimony to total dedication to serving others, especially those considered “the least.” In 1996, Pope John Paul II declared her blessed, recognizing her life of holiness and tireless dedication to the most vulnerable. Today, her memory remains a shining example of Christian charity in action, and her legacy continues to inspire those working on behalf of the marginalized.

Enrichetta’s legacy challenges us to reflect on how we can, in our own lives, serve those who need it most and how, through prayer and service, we can encounter Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters.