Saint Maria Mazzarello

Saint Maria Mazzarello Also known as

Mary Dominic Mazzarello

14 May

Profile

Daughter of Giuseppe and Maddalena Mazzarello, the eldest of ten children born to a farm family in the mountains; seven of the children survived, and Maria learned the lessons typical of a big sister. Field worker. Member of the Pious Union of Mary Immaculate. Assisted at her parish, teaching catechism to younger children, helping the sick. She nearly died of typhus at age 23, and she never really recovered her strength or health again.

She and her friend Petronilla began working as dressmakers. They discovered a joint interest in working with children, and started a school for girls that soon turned into a boarding school. Each Sunday they offered the local girls, whether students or not, the chance to come to the school for games and prayers. Maria cofounded the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix, which was under the spritual direction of Saint John Bosco. She was the first Salesian Sister, and served as superior of the order, founding houses in Italy and France.