Maria of Jesus Santocanale

Born in Palermo on 2 October 1852 to Giuseppe Santocanale and Donna Caterina Andriolo Stagno, Maria of Jesus Santocanale, in the world Carolina Concetta Angela, was the Foundress of the Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes. She was baptized on first Vespers on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi and subsequently received her first Holy Communion during Lent of 1861. Eight years later, she asked to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Her faith continued to grow as did her interest in consecrated life. When her maternal grandfather became ill, she was called to his bedside in Cinisi, Italy. There she entrusted her spiritual guidance to the Archpriest of Cinisi, Fr Mauro Venuti. Thus, on 20 November 1873, she joined the Daughters of Mary of the Parish of Saint Anthony Abbot, eventually becoming its president. After ...