Blessed Savina Petrilli

Biography

Blessed Savina Petrilli, also known as Sabrina, was born on 29 August 1851 in Siena, Italy, as the second daughter of Celso and Matilde Venturini. At a young age of 10, she discovered a life-changing book on the life of Saint Catherine of Siena, which ignited her deep devotion to this revered saint. This initial encounter with Saint Catherine of Siena would leave a lasting impact on Savina's spiritual journey.

Savina's faith continued to blossom, and at the age of 12, she received her First Communion, an important milestone in the Catholic faith. Her desire to dedicate her life to God led her to join the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary at age 15. Her commitment and devotion to her religious calling were soon recognized, and she was chosen as the president of the Congregation in 1873.

During this period, Savina had the privilege of having an audience with Pope Pius IX in 1869. The Pope himself, impressed by her devotion and zeal, encouraged her to follow in the footsteps of her beloved Saint Catherine of Siena. Inspired by this encounter, Savina gathered five companions and, on 15 August 1873, they took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience within the chapel of her family's home. This marked the foundation of the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Catherine of Siena, an order dedicated to caring for homeless and impoverished young people.

Following their establishment, the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Catherine of Siena embarked on a journey of spreading their compassionate mission. They founded their first house in Onano, Viterbo, Italy, in 1881, and expanded their services globally, establishing their first foreign mission in Belem, Brazil, in 1903. Their unwavering commitment to serving the poor, particularly the youth, garnered the final approval of Pope Pius X on 17 June 1906.

Blessed Savina Petrilli's exceptional leadership and dedication helped establish a strong foundation for the Congregation's growth and impact. Even to this day, her legacy of compassion and service lives on through the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Catherine of Siena. Currently, the Congregation operates more than 80 houses and comprises over 500 sisters who tirelessly continue Blessed Savina's work in countries such as Italy, Brazil, Argentina, India, Philippines, Paraguay, and the United States.

Throughout her life, Blessed Savina Petrilli demonstrated unwavering faith and devotion to God's calling. Her selflessness and commitment to serving the most vulnerable in society earned her the admiration and reverence of many. Her journey of holiness and the remarkable impact of her work eventually led her to be venerated on 16 November 1985 by Pope John Paul II, who declared her heroic virtues. Subsequently, on 24 April 1988, Pope John Paul II beatified her at Saint Peter's Square in Rome, Italy.

Tragically, Blessed Savina Petrilli's life was cut short by cancer. She passed away on 18 April 1923 at 5:20 pm in Siena, Italy. Her legacy, however, lives on, inspiring countless individuals to follow the path of love, compassion, and service, just as she did during her remarkable life.