It was January 31st, 1983. That morning, at the main railway Station of Rome, a homeless woman, visibly suffering, was not assisted, along 4 hours, because she was too filthy. She died before arriving at an hospital. Modesta Valenti was 71 years old. A difficult life brought her from Friuli - a region in northern Italy - to Rome.

Every year since then, the Community of Sant'Egidio ha been remembering Modesta and with her all those who live on the street, and, so much often, die.

Eucharistic Liturgy
Rome
Sunday February 1st
12.00 am, Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

During the celebration, that has been held for 26 years,
every person who died in the street
for cold weather, sickness or neglect
is remembered by name.

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Vatican Radio - 1 February 2009
Memory of Modesta
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