Vicenta María Poloni (1802–1855)

Biography

Italian founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Vicenta Maria Poloni served the sick, elderly, orphans and poor as if she were personally ministering to Christ. Born Luisa Poloni in Verona, she assumed family responsibilities after the death of her father. Guided by Blessed Charles Steeb, she heroically cared for the sick during the cholera epidemic of 1836. In 1840 she started a community in the Verona asylum and in 1848 she professed under the name of Vicenta Maria. He united government capacity, firmness, humility and tenderness until his premature death.