Maria

Saint Maria De Mattias
Foundress of the
Adorers of the Blood of Christ
Stories for the Young and Old

	ACUTO Acuto is a village found east of Rome. It is located in lower Lazio on a hilltop of the Ernici Mountains.
This statue of St. Maria greets visitors to the city.
	City Gate It was through this gate that Maria DeMattias, Maria Tullio and Michael DeMattias entered the city of Acuto. A sure footed donkey had no problem going through the gate. The place the Adorers call Casa Madre just through the gate and to the left. Maria's first home was across the street.
First Home of the Adorers On March 4, 1834, Maria opened the school in what is now called the Pilozzi House. It is located across the street from the Casa Madre. Maria lived and worked in the lower three rooms of this house. It was dark and damp. She stayed here from March to June.

Street leading to second home	Door to second home

	As the number of students increased, Maria set out to find a larger home. In 1836 Maria asked Bishop Muccioli if she could use the vacant summer seminary. Maria and her Sisters moved in very quickly. The Sisters lived here for two years before the new Bishop asked for the building back. The sisters left the Seminary building on Aug. 31, 1838. In 1983 the Seminary Building was again offered to the Sisters and is now a Retreat Center.
	The Stefani House became the fourth home for the sisters from August 1838 to August 1843. It was from this home that Maria wrote many letters to obtain an old hospice from the town council. Once she obtained the hospice there was much repair work that needed to be completed before the sisters could move into it.
After Maria had obtained the hospice and the building next to it, there was more reconstruction needed before the Sisters could move into their home. The move took place on August 27, 1843. Parts of the home still needed repair but the Sisters were happy to have a place they could call their own. This became known as Casa Madra
	The Chapel in the Casa Madre. To the left is a picture of the chapel that is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Going through the archway to the right is a chapel in honor of Maria De Matthias. (left bottom) The lamps around the altar represent places where the Sisters serve throughout the world. In the middle of the altar is a relic of St. Maria. (bottom right)

	Dining Room It was in this dining room that the Sisters shared many meals. Here it was that they also sat and prayed for food when there was nothing to eat. Maria always trusted that God would give them what they needed. A knock on the door brought them food for the day.
The room where the oven and the well are found.	The well The story goes that the well went dry. Maria went and was able to get water from it again. The well still has water in it to this day.
	To the left are the steps going down into the wine cellar. Above is the wine cellar. It was here that Maria was able to relight the lamp that went out.
Maria spent many hours praying at the foot of the cross.	Maria wrote hundreds of letters at this desk.
In the back of Casa Madra you can still see the stones that were carried by Maria and the people of the town to repair the building.	Today a beautiful courtyard is a place to walk and reflect. Maria and her Sisters would have spent time in this courtyard. Beyond and down a steep hill there is a garden area.
If you walk past the vegetable garden you might be able to find the quiet place Maria enjoyed visiting.

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Stories: Someone Special | Lefty | Feather | Rosie | Maria's Album
Coloring Books: Little Lambs | Deep Dark Cellar | Maria at the Well | Maria's Donkeys | Triquito
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