MARIA DOMENICA MAZZARELLO, saint. — Co-foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, b. at Mornese Monferrato, in the hamlet of Mazzarello, on 9 May 1837, d. at Nizza Monferrato on 14 May 1881.
She belonged to the Pious Union of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, founded by the parish priest, and had begun gathering the girls of the village in a rented house to teach them catechism and needlework. When the parish priest spoke of this group to s. Giovanni Bosco, he recognized in it the fulfillment of a dream and of a desire to establish a female branch alongside the Salesians, already founded. He therefore charged M. with implementing the idea, opening a school and entrusting its direction to her. After a period of probation, she and her ten companions received the religious habit on 5 Aug. 1872 and were given rules specially written by the Saint. As new houses were opened, M. was elected superior general and vigorously promoted the Institute’s expansion. At her death she left more than 30 houses in Italy, France, and Latin America, with 250 religious.
She was beatified on 20 Nov. 1938 and canonized on 24 June 1951. Feast day: 14 May.