St. Rosa Venerini

Rosa Venerini was born in Viterbo, Italy on February 9, 1656.  After a long period of prayer and discernment, seeking to know what God asked of her, she began to invite the girls and women of her neighborhood to her home to recite the Rosary and learn the truths of their Faith.

On August 30, 1685, she opened her first school where young women received religious instruction and learned to read, write, sew, and develop those skills that would help them live full and productive lives.

Rosa’s work marked an important milestone in the education of girls.  Devoted young women joined her, and as the number of teachers or as they were called “Maestre” increased so, too did the schools.  They were established in various parts of Italy, including Rome.  Rosa spent her life dedicated to the work she had begun, training and guiding Maestre, founding schools, and visiting them.  It was a life of prayer, concern, travel, and sacrifice.  Rosa had a life spent seeking every available opportunity to help others.  The norms she formulated for a way of life were simple, relevant, and based on the Gospels.

Rosa died in Rome on May 7, 1728.  She was beatified on May 4, 1952, by Pope Pius XII and became known as Blessed Rosa Venerini. And she was canonized on October 15th, 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI and she known as Saint Rosa Venerini.

Today the Religious Venerini Sisters continue to minister in Italy, Albania, Romania, the United States, Chile, Brazil, India, Cameroon, Nigeria and Madagascar guided by the charism of their foundress, “Educate to Set Free.”