Sister Angela Marie Bovo was an American nun of Italian descent. During the summer of 1984, she obtained permission from her convent to travel to Venice to learn more about her family. Her mother, born in Venice, had since died in California in 1972. She lived in America for almost 70 years, having immigrated from Venice in 1906.

Now, about 12 years after her mother's passing, Sister Angela spent some time in her mother's old Italian home. During a visit there, the nun's aunt removed a small picture from the wall. The lovely painting, entitled "The Madonna of the Street", depicted the Blessed Virgin holding her sleeping Son.

Showing the image with pleasure, the aunt said, "This is your mother."

Sister Angela agreed, repeating what she had been taught from childhood about Our Lady, "Yes. She is everyone's Mother."

Not expecting this response, the aunt clarified,

"But this is your earthly mother!"

Then, Sr. Angela understood what her aunt meant. The girl in the picture was her Italian mother! In 1984, when modern photography had been widespread for decades… it was a sweet and interesting revelation for the nun… to see before her a vintage, world famous portrait of her mother, beautifully modeling the Madonna of the Street.

The young model, Angela Cian, was 11 years old when called upon to pose for the artist Roberto Ferruzzi. The large sleeping baby in her arms was her little brother, Sister Angela's uncle. What a sweet touch of God's Providence that this girl painted as the Blessed Mother would later become a mother herself, giving birth to 10 children.

Upon returning to the United States, Sr. Angela shared the discovery with the rest of her family. Excited and curious, the Bovo family reached out to the surviving nephew of the deceased artist. Upon their request, Ferruccio Ferruzzi Balbi searched his uncle’s old log book and did indeed verify the identification of Mrs. Bovo - then little Angela Cian.

So many people over the centuries have spent long hours of their lives standing still in front of an artist, so that he could produce more realistic and beautiful works of art to inspire generations to come. Numerous artists in history are most famous for some religious work. God’s gift to them has done a lot of good for many people and it makes sense that they would be well known for it.

But their unknown models, while perhaps not as talented as the artists, were still crucial in the making of these holy images. Yet, in God’s Providence, the name of a simple 11 year old girl, posing as Our Lady, has been passed down to us. The Madonna of the Street is a lovely image which has touched many hearts. Angela Cian Bovo is a real-life reminder that every single one of us can do good, however complex or simple our role may be.