Blessed Maria Anna Sala

Profile

Daughter of Giovanni and Giovannina Sala; fifth of eight children in a pious family. Educated in the convent school by the Sisters of Saint Marcellina in Vimercate, Italy. She wanted to join the Sisters, but her family needed her help, and Maria returned home. In 1848, her family obligations fulfilled, she returned to the Sisters, and made her profession on 13 September 1852. Over the next four decades she taught at the Marcellina schools in Cernusco, Chambery, Genoa, and Milan. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 1883, she kept the matter to herself and continued to work for another eight years. Throughout the beatification investigation and recognition everyone involved stressed Maria’s quiet dignity and her unwavering devotion to Christ no matter how severe her pain or trying her circumstances.