Our Foundress — Mother Margherita De Brincat

Our Foundress – Mother Margherita De Brincat

Mother Margherita De Brincat was the courageous and visionary foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus, a congregation established in Gozo in 1880. Its roots trace back to the Association of the Twelve Stars of the Heart of Jesus, formed in Rabat, Gozo by a group of young girls under the spiritual guidance of Fr Joseph Diacono, the Vice-Parish Priest of St George’s. Fr. Diacono transformed this association into a diocesan religious congregation, initially known as the Franciscan Tertiaries and later as the Franciscan Sisters of Malta. Eventually, with Papal approval and to better reflect its charism, the congregation adopted the name Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus.

While Fr Diacono founded the congregation, it was Mother Margherita who, through divine inspiration, nurtured and led it to maturity. Born Virginia De Brincat in Kerċem, Gozo, on the 28th of November, 1862, she was educated at Fr Diacono’s school. At the age of 27, moved by the Holy Spirit, she accepted the responsibility to lead the congregation through a critical period, successfully overcoming challenges that nearly caused its demise. Today, the congregation flourishes worldwide.

Mother Margherita was a woman of remarkable courage and leadership, deeply rooted in a strong faith in God’s loving plan, which she followed with unwavering determination. From her youth, when she took charge of the congregation, she faced numerous hardships: severe financial shortages, opposition to opening new houses, starting communities without basic necessities, and the turbulent times of two world wars. Despite these trials, she met every challenge with serenity, patience and firm resolve, always embracing the will of Divine Providence.

As she once wrote: “May the most holy will of our sweet Father, to whom we abandon ourselves with soul and body, in life and death, be done.”

Mother Margherita described herself as “a small, small child accompanied by a Father whose presence makes her forget all troubles.” Her spiritual resilience shaped the charism that the Franciscan Sisters continue to live today.

Under her guidance, the congregation expanded beyond Malta: Corfu (1907), Rome (1927), Ethiopia (1927), Italy, London, Australia, Kenya, Brazil, Pakistan, Israel, and the Philippines. On 2 July 1927, the Holy See granted the Decretum Laudis, formally recognising the congregation.

By her death, she had given 71 years of her life to religious service, 27 as Superior General. Her cause for beatification continues today, with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints examining a miraculous cure attributed to her intercession.