Cerioni, Costanza, Venerable

CERIOLI, COSTANZA, venerable. - In religion Sister Paola Elisabetta. Born at Soncino (Cremona), on 16 Jan. 1816; died at Comonte di Seriate (Bergamo) on 24 Dec. 1865. She founded the institute of Holy Family (v.), in order to encourage the orphaned daughters and sons of peasants to work the land, against the attractions of industry. At Comonte, in her marital home, after losing her only son and her husband, who had caused her much suffering because of the difference in their ages and his character, she opened in 1856 the first refuge for orphan girls, assuming the religious habit together with several companions. In 1863, at Villacampagna di Soncino, she began the work for boys, placed under the direction of a Congregation of religious likewise entitled to the Holy Family. Her work, inspired by maternal wisdom and rural experience, was praised by Pius IX. The heroic nature of her virtues was proclaimed by the decree of 2 July 1939.