We all seek many reasons to love life. A comfortable and peaceful life, an atmosphere filled with peace, health, beauty and financial security are generally considered the circumstances that contribute to human happiness. But how can a person be happy and love life when none of these are present? Daniela Zanetta is an answer to this question. Born in 1962 in Maggiora, Italy, she was afflicted with a skin disease from birth. The medical name of her illness was dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (epidermolysis bullosa). The disease caused constant burns and wounds throughout her body. It subjected her to intense pain, lasting for hours every day. Neither the doctors nor the medical science of that time could cure her or even alleviate her suffering. To those who saw her, she could appear frightening. She was aware of this herself. That is why she once wrote: “I may seem frightening when you look at me. But I am not like that.” In spite of her pain and illness, she neither complained nor hated Jesus. Her way of expressing herself was to write letters to Jesus. These letters were filled with devotion and love for Christ. One of her letters reads:
“Father, you have entrusted me with this mission and this cross; it is like a mark imprinted on my body from my very first cry. As though you wanted to make sure that I would not lose my way! I have not always liked this care of yours for me; how many times I have wished to blend into the crowd and become just one among many… Because your love was filled with pain, many sacrifices and bitter experiences, I did not understand it; I could not comprehend it… Finally, with tears, I spoke to you! From that moment, I offered my diseased, wounded and disfigured body to you… I will remain firmly rooted in the centre of your love.”
Elsewhere she wrote: “Spending 22 years on the cross is not easy, but I believe in God and love him greatly. I thank him for giving me life, because every new day gives me a new opportunity to love and serve him. What makes me regard suffering as a precious gift from God is not madness, but a tangible experience, often soaked in tears: I am convinced that everything is the fruit of God’s will and love. Every day that dawns is a gift from God, and if this life is marked by pain in a special way, it is a double gift, because pain makes us grow, creates a deeper dialogue with God and helps us make reparation for many sins. Fools, stop your absurdities, because life is beautiful.”
Who can say that life is beautiful while lying on a sickbed, with the whole body terribly disfigured? How many can say so? Since her body was covered with wounds from birth, even her parents believed that she would not live long. But Daniela lived for 23 years, surpassing all those expectations. Even while in hospital, she focused on consoling others, forgetting her own pain. For those of us who live thinking that our own pain and illness are the greatest, Daniela becomes a wonder. It was not her own suffering but the suffering of others that mattered most to her. She was an outstanding model of Christ. Despite her suffering, she studied well, completed her teacher training, and also served as a catechist and as a member of the folklore movement.
From 26 October 1983 onwards, she began writing letters in which she spoke to Jesus. In her little notebook, she openly recorded all her joys, failures, pains, fears and hopes. She did not imagine that these writings would become a major testimony to her spiritual life. Christ crucified was at the centre of her spirituality. In a world that viewed illness and suffering as punishments, she sought to unite her sufferings with the cross of Christ. She firmly believed that through the cross she was united with Christ. Even when her loved ones considered euthanasia, she maintained that a life filled with pain still had value. Among those who wished to live and die without pain, she loved pain, without reservation.
By February 1986, her illness had become more severe, and medical science was helpless, unable to do anything further for her. On 10 April, she informed her family that her very small savings should be distributed among the poor. On 13 April, she received Holy Communion. “Thank you, thank you for everything…” These were her final words to everyone before she slipped into a coma. On 14 April 1986, after a life marked by suffering, she departed for heaven to receive the reward for the sufferings she had endured on earth. Her family members unanimously testify that there was a smile on her lips in her final moments. On 17 October 2004, the cause of Daniela’s beatification was officially opened. On 23 March 2017, Pope Francis raised her to the rank of Venerable. Daniela, who taught us to love suffering rather than seek escape from it, was truly a marvel. Even if we cannot love our sufferings, let us pray to Daniela for the grace to endure them.
Vinayak Nirmal
