chiara Corbella patrillo: a Witness to joy

Chiara Corbella Patrillo: A Witness to Joy relates the powerful story of a young couple, Chiara and Enrico, who meet in Medjugorje. The relationship has a rocky start but with the help of a spiritual director whom they both met in Assisi, the marriage finally takes off.

Once married the challenge for the young couple is Chiara’s serious difficulties with her pregnancies and the fragile condition of their babies before birth. The complicated conceptions and carrying the baby to term occurs more than once; but their babies are baptised soon after birth. Their baby boy Francesco brings them great joy. Chiara’s health remains fragile throughout the marriage and her condition worsens after the birth of Francesco. The story shows that for Chiara the human experience of motherhood comes with the responsibility to protect the life of her unborn child -- regardless of the baby’s condition: she and Enrico are filled with hope and joy; they share the same fundamental values: life of a child must be protected.

​Remarkable in the life of Chiara is the ongoing suffering--  and joy -- the experiences of motherhood, love of her husband, family and friends. Chiara not only shares her deep inner joy, but the power of God’s grace is manifested in her life and Enrico’s.

​The story was written by Simone Troisi and Cristiana Paccini, and translated into English by Charlotte J. Fasi. Originally published in Italian by the Franciscan publishing house, Proziuncola, 2013, the English translation is published by Sophia Institute in 2015.