Mary Clara Nanetti

Saint Maria Chiara Nanetti or Mary Clare (1872-1900, born Clelia Nanetti) was an Italian religious sister who died for her faith in China during the Boxer Rebellion and was canonised in 2000. She is one of the group known as the Martyr Saints of China who were canonised by Pope John Paul II 1 October 2000.

Life

Nanetti was born Clelia Nanetti 9 January 1872 in Occhiobello, Rovigo, Italy and joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on 4 January 1892.

On 5 July 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, the Christians at the mission were ordered to renounce their faith or face death; at 4pm on 9 July the priests, sisters, seminarians and Christian lay workers were all killed, in what is known as the Taiyuan massacre. On hearing the news of the death of the seven sisters, the mission's founder, Mary of the Passion, is reported to have said "now I have seven true Franciscan Missionaries of Mary". Maria Chiara was beatified by Pope Pius XII on 24 November 1946 and canonised by Pope John Paul II on 1 October 2000 as one of a group of 120 Martyr Saints of China. The Franciscan Martyrs of China are remembered on 9 July each year.