The Family of Brigida
Brigidawas born in the little sea-side town ofRapallowhich was part of the noble city of Genova Rapallo. Her parents wereNicolo Morello and Lavinia Borzese both were noted for their goodness and prudence were also and capable of governing their family well. They enjoyed the respect and esteem of the people and had good financial standing. But one day they suffered a considerable set back due to some misfortune and had to live through days of hardship and want. They had 11 children: three boys and eight girls of whom Brigida was the sixth in the order of birth-the central figure, not only in the natural order but much more in the supernatural order of divine prediction and gifts of grace.
The Birth of Brigida
She was born on17th June, 1610on the day which, that year happened to be the Octave of the feast of ‘Corpus Domini’ in the parish of St. Michael, not far from Rapallo. The birth was not accompanied by the usual labour pain and the mother did not even need the assistance of a mid-wife. In fact, she had gone to the Eucharistic procession and returning home had hardly changed her clothes. This was believed to be very providential l in the given circumstances as there was only a single mid-wife in the whole parish and she could not be called for this delivery.
Desire for sanctity
The children of the Nicolo family often went to their paternal grand-uncle and aunt who had holiday villa in St. Michael’s . This couple, having no children of their own, entertained them in their home. Brigidawas their favorite. The children affectionately called them grand-father and grand–mother. The good old man was very pious and devoted his time in reading and especially enjoyed reading the lives of saints which Brigida used to listen very eagerly. Even at that tender age, she understood that to become a saint was a beautiful thing and this roused in her a desire for sanctity beyond her age, as though the lord was anticipating his action in her with special enlightenment, which often happens with those who are destined to be models of sanctity.
Her great desire for sanctity right from her childhood, the vision she had at the age of four of the beauty of heaven and the transitory of this world, her love for the poor, zeal for souls, eagerness to practice every virtue, the great desire to become a nun and a saint etc. singled her out as an extra-ordinary child.