St. Caterina Volpicelli

Ø  An Italian nun, Foundress of  the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart
Born	On 21st  January 1839 in Naples, Italy
Died	On 28th  December 1894 in Naples, Italy of natural causes
Beatified	On 29th  April 2001 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized	On 26th  April 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI
Feast	22nd January

Caterina Volpicelli was born in Naples January 21, 1839 to Peter and Teresa de Micheroux. Her family belonged to the Neapolitan high bourgeoisie and she had a deep Christian faith.          Caterina was educated in the Royal School of St. Marcellino.  Under the wise leadership of Margaret Savory, Caterina studied languages and music, atypical for women at that time. She was guided by the Spirit of the Lord, who revealed the plan of God through wise and holy spiritual directors including the Blessed Ludovico of Casoria.          Caterina Volpicelli, founded the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart in July 1874 with the approval from the Cardinal Archbishop of Naples.  The order was formally recognized by Pope Leo XIII on June 13, 1890.            Concerned about the lot of the young, she then opened the orphanage of the Margherites, founded a lending library and set up the Association of the Daughters of Mary, with the wise guidance of Venerable Mother Rosa Carafa Traetto (d. 1890)..          Caterina Volpicelli died in Naples on 28 December 1894 ,and was beatified on April 29, 2001 by His Holiness John Paul II and canonized on April 26, 2009 by His Holiness Benedict XVI.