“Live in the world without giving anything to the world. Work tirelessly, but above all love, love, love.” Armida Barelli remained faithful to these words throughout her life and, as a woman in love with God, she knew how to be a voice for women who, in the historical era in which she lived (1882-1952), still struggled to make themselves heard.
Her main commitment focused on creating spaces for women’s growth and education, challenging the stereotypes of her time that relegated women to marginal and subordinate roles.
A Woman Who Challenged Gender Stereotypes
At a time when women’s education was often limited, Armida was asked to assume the presidency of the Catholic Young Women’s Movement. Although there was a men’s movement within Catholic Action, there was no women’s branch at all. Armida said her “Here I am” and led a movement whose purpose was not only the spiritual formation of women, but also their education and personal growth, laying the foundations for greater female emancipation both in the life of the Church and in society. Armida was convinced that there was a need for educated women capable of contributing actively to progress and the common good. Under her leadership, especially within the Young Women’s section of Catholic Action, young women were encouraged not only to deepen their faith, but also to acquire practical and intellectual skills that would make them more aware of their worth. She encouraged them to become agents of change, breaking through the limitations imposed by the patriarchal society of the time.
From the outset, however, she chose not to be called President, but Big Sister: “The President,” she once said, “is the Madonna who protects us.”
The Revolution of Secular Institutes
Armida’s initiative also led to an intuition that had the scent of revolution: between 1918 and 1919, several members of the Young Women’s Movement wondered whether it was possible to consecrate oneself to God without entering a convent or a religious order. Barelli discussed it with Pope Benedict XV, who suggested considering the Third Order.
In August 1919, in Assisi, a Rule was written for the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ: a branch grafted onto the Third Order of St. Francis and inspired by the Sacred Heart as a means of restoring Christian society.
In 1947, the long-awaited approval of the Missionaries' statutes also arrived: from the Pious Sodality of the Missionaries of the Kingship, the organization became the Women's Lay Association! On February 2, 1947, the pope promulgated the constitution Provida Mater Ecclesia, through which he recognized a new state of perfection for laypeople: secular institutes, and the Missionaries, became one of the first secular institutes in history.
Women's suffrage
The winds of renewal that can be felt in this opening up to secular realities affect not only the Church, but also politics: in 1948, for the first time in Italy, women were allowed to vote. As vice president of the women's associations, Armida launched training courses to educate women about voting: “Dare and ardor” was the motto! On April 18, 1948, women voted for the first time, and they were women whom Barelli had helped make more aware of themselves and their worth.
A shared dream: the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Barelli's vision extended beyond women's education. Working with Father Agostino Gemelli, she helped found the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, an institution that provided a quality education to a new generation of Italian Catholics. This project is a clear example of her commitment to creating educational opportunities for everyone, while maintaining a special focus on women and their emancipation.
Armida Barelli forged a new path for women within the Catholic Church, demonstrating that with the courage to dare and bring a vision to life, it is possible to overcome the cultural and religious barriers of one's time.
