Saint Teresa Eustochio Verzeri

Life story

Ignazia Verzeri was born on 31 July 1801 in Bergamo, the eldest of seven children of Antonio Verzeri and Elena Pedrocca-Grumelli. Her brother Girolamo later became bishop of Brescia, and an aunt was a Poor Clare nun. Her spiritual guide was Giuseppe Benaglio, vicar general of the Diocese of Bergamo. She entered the Benedictine monastery of Santa Grata, taking the name Teresa Eustochio, and after a long, difficult search left it.

On 8 February 1831, in Bergamo, she and Canon Benaglio founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Its work centred on educating girls, caring for orphans, running retreats and serving the sick and elderly. Benaglio died in 1836. She left the Constitutions, a Book of Duties and more than 3,500 letters.

She died in Brescia on 3 March 1852. Her relics are venerated in the congregation's chapel in Bergamo. The congregation now works in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, India and Albania. Pius XII beatified her on 27 October 1946 and John Paul II canonised her on 10 June 2001. Her feast day is 3 March.

Works and witness

• Entered the Benedictine monastery of Santa Grata as Teresa Eustochio, then left it
• Founded the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bergamo on 8 February 1831
• Devoted the congregation to girls' education, orphans and the sick
• Left the Constitutions, a Book of Duties and over 3,500 letters
• Beatified in 1946 and canonised in 2001

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Vatican: 'Teresa Eustochio Verzeri (1801-1852) - biography', canonisation of 10 June 2001, vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20010610_verzeri_en.html

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.