Mary Crucified Di Rosa (1813–1855)

Biography

He never wanted to get married to dedicate himself completely to charitable works. Her father supported his daughter's determination and helped her as much as he could, even if some did not agree with his plans. He founded associations for mutual aid and charitable works in his father's factories. On his father's country estate he also founded religious associations with the surrounding peasant women. He organized retreats and special missions in his parish and after a plague epidemic that left many orphaned children, he formed craft workshops and then a boarding school for orphaned girls. In 1840, an association of women was founded in Brescia by Monsignor Pinzoni to care for the sick in hospitals, which were called Maidens of Charity. María de la Rosa was appointed superior and day and night she was willing to come to the aid of the sick, to assist someone who was dying or to console those who were suffering from some pain. She died at the age of 42, totally exhausted but happy to have been able to serve her brothers in the name of Christ.