Savina Petrilli
Savina Petrilli (29 August 1851 - 18 April 1923) was an Italian Catholic professed religious who founded the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Catherine of Siena upon receiving the encouragement of Pope Pius IX.
Petrilli devoted her congregation to alleviating the conditions of needy girls and the poor who came seeking help. The first house outside their native Italy to be opened by the Sisters after their foundation was in Brazil, though Petrilli continued to direct the house in Siena, living there until her death from cancer in 1923.
Her beatification took place on April 24, 1988. She is commemoration in the current edition of the Roman Martyrology on 18 April, Where the entry (in Latin) reads 'Siena in Tuscany, Blessed Savina Petrilli, virgin, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St Catherine of Siena to bring aid to needy girls and to the poor.' The same date is that of her feastday in local liturgical calendars.o
Patron saint of Sisters of the Poor of Saint Catherine of Siena
In the Martyrology
- April 18 Blessed Savina Petrilli, virgin, founder of the Poor Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena