Teacher of social studies and home economics; at the age of 50 she meets the Focolare and starts a new life beside Chiara Lubich: a summary of Maria Gloria’s radiant 100 years.

100 years old and Maria Gloria still has that same look in her eyes, that same smile, that same simplicity and solemnity, not to mention her clarity of mind and readiness to smile. On 13^th March, the day of her 100^th birthday, when the other focolarine asked her, “Will we too reach 100?”, she answered, “Luckily it only happens to few!”

Leafing through the pages of her life, we discover that Marie Louise Celine Huille comes from a numerous family of nine children, three of whom entered religious orders.

She started to work at 21 years of age as a Home Economics teacher in Paris (a job that, at the time, had a higher status than that which we give it nowadays). Then she worked as head-mistress and teacher in various social service institutes in France, Portugal, Morocco, USA,…

She dedicated herself to finding new systems for simplifying women’s labour and, with a friend, she developed a project which was revolutionary for its time: applying principles of scientific organisation- like those used in a factory – to housework.

In August 1963, at the age of 50, she met the Focolare Movement. A revolutionary breakthrough in her already committed and worthy life. With the freshness of a young girl she dedicated herself completely to the focolare community and Chiara gave her a new name “Maria Gloria” as a particular encouragement to imitate the Mother of God. When Jean Marie Villot, the Cardinal Secretary of State at the time, asked Chiara if she could send some focolarine women as assistants, Chiara didn’t hesitate to send Maria Gloria.

This surprise-filled adventure later continued when she went to work in Chiara’s house after the Cardinal’s passing. She and the other assistants who had worked for the Secretary of State continued their task in Rocca di Papa (Rome) in Chiara’s focolare right up until the Focolare’s founder passed away.

During those years, Chiara found solace in Maria Gloria’s extraordinary life experience and often listened to her advice. With Maria Gloria, Chiara discovered that things done with care and love are not only beautiful but useful.

To commemorate a century lived in such an extraordinary way, ‘Casa Verde’, the focolare where Maria Gloria now lives with other elderly focolarine women, hosted a celebration. The Mayor of Rocca di Papa joined the festivities, presenting her with a valuable book containing photograph’s of Rocca di Papa along with a parchment that read: “Maria Gloria, a women whose dedication to women and to others kept her young. She shared her talents and strength with the admirable aim of discovering the beauty of creation and helping others do the same, transforming this beauty into daily tasks”.