SISTER MARGHERITA MARCHIONE, Ph.D.
Awards and Honors
A Recent Honor
From "Inside the Vatican" Magazine, January, 2003
The Ten Top People of 2002
There are many men and women of faith among us, many who are seeking to
follow Christ by serving the poor, the Gospel, and peace. Here are 10 such
people among a "cloud of witnesses."
Selecting 10 people out of many billions for recognition as "People of the
year" is evidently a partial and imperfect endeavor. There are so many
people who have done so much during the year 2002 that choosing 10 from
among them inevitably overlooks dozens, hundreds, thousands, even millions
deserving of recognition, from children to old people, from mothers and
fathers of families to vowed men and women religious, from doctors and
nurses to poets and artists, why then, do we even attempt this "foolish"
task?
We do so because we think the wisdom outweighs the folly. And this is the
wisdom: in a world where the most popular journals recognize as "People of
the Year" rock stars and fashion models, billionaire business tycoons and
millionarie athletes, we think it is a special contribution we can make to
the "culture of life" to choose 10 people who, in one way or another, are
spending their lives on behalf of others: working with the poor, or for the
poor; protecting the unborn, or praying for them; helping to build a more
peaceful society in places where violent forces are threatening to bring
chaos and war; helping to build the kingdom of God through their work and
their prayer.
This year we chose 10 people, three women and seven men, three lay people
and seven in religious life, from Italy, England, Russia, the United States,
the Netherlands, Vietnam and Poland. We propose these 10 people as models of
the Christian culture Pope John Paul II sees as a sign of hope for our
world.
The Editor - Inside The Vatican
Another Honor
On October 15, 2003, Sister Margherita Marchione received the papal award,
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross for her work in promoting the truth about
Pope Pius XII. This Award from Pope John Paul II was presented at Villa
Walsh, by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Frank Rodimer, Bishop of
Paterson.
In her remarks, Sister Margherita stated: "I accept the Award in the name of
the Religious Teachers Filippini, as I repeat the words of Our Lady: 'My
soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!' (Magnificat anima mea Domine!).
These words inspire me today as they did on June 12, 1938, when I knelt
before this altar and dedicated my life to the Church and to the Pontiff.
I have never regretted my decision to serve God. I was 16 years old."
After thanking Bishop Frank Rodimer and the guests present, she addressed
the students of Villa Walsh Academy: "In 1924, a New Jersey State Charter to
establish a High School was granted to the Religious Teachers Filippini. It
is now known as Villa Walsh Academy! You may not be aware of this fact: I
belong to the Class of 1938. As I look at you, I think of the past sixty
years of teaching on all levels and of the thousands of students I remember
and love.
"For several years, I have defended Pope Pius XII against the calumnies and
misrepresentations about his so-called "silence" and "anti-Semitism" during
World War II. This is not true! Documents show that Pius XII was not
anti-Semitic. He was not silent. He chose to be prudent. Had he taken a more
public stand, he would have endangered the lives of thousands of Jews who,
at his direction, were hidden in 155 convents and monasteries in Rome alone.
The Religious Teachers Filippini saved 114 Jewish men, women and children in
three convents. In gratitude to our Sisters, the Jews presented a five-foot
statue of the Madonna which remains on the fourth floor of the convent where
60 Jews were hidden during the Nazi occupation of Rome.
"Pius XII was a saintly man, a man of peace and compassion. Allow me to tell
you a story. One day, Pius XII learned that a woman and her extremely
deformed son had arrived in Rome and had been refused an audience. He was
indignant, and immediately ordered his car to be sent to the mother and
child. When they arrived, he took the boy in his arms and asked the mother
what had been done for him. "I took him to Lourdes because doctors could do
nothing. There was no miracle, but my son wanted to see you. We want the
assurance that God is with us." The Pope warmly gave her that faith, as he
comforted them, blessing her and the young child he held in his arms.
"A friendly human being, Pius XII greeted everyone with a smile in his eyes
and spoke to each one as a friend. Always a gentleman, he tried to save
people from embarrassment. One American congressman asked him to bless a
package of medals. He accidentally pulled out of his pocket a pack of
cigarettes. The Pope blessed it. As the congressman put it back in his
pocket, he blushed with embarrassment, but the Pope laughed and then blessed
the medals.
"Pius XII strongly condemned the anti-Semitic persecutions, the oppression
of invaded lands and the inhuman conduct of the Nazis. He urged the
Christian resoration of family life and education, the reconstruction of
society, the equality of nations, the suppression of hate propaganda and the
formation of an international organization for disarmament and maintenance
of peace. He was a champion of peace, freedom, human dignity. He encouraged
Catholics to look on Christians and Jews as their brothers and sisters, all
children of a common Father. Pope John Paul II consistently praised Pius
XII. This generation should be talking about the debt of gratitude it owes
the saintly Pope Pius XII, not maligning him! I challenge you to help me
spread the truth and obtain justice."
Sister Margherita closed her acceptance of the Award from His Holiness, Pope
John Paul II with the prayer "that the Holy Spirit increase in each of us,
the wisdom to promote dialogue and to seek the ideal of one world" with love
for one another, with hope in the integrity of future generations, and with
faith in the Almighty Father of us all."
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