PETRILLI, SAVINA. – Foundress of the Sisters of the Poor of St Catherine of Siena, born in Siena on 29 Aug. 1852, died there on 18 Apr. 1923.
A pupil of the Daughters of Charity, then a domestic helper in charge of household chores and the education of her brothers, she devoted herself with passion to teaching catechism in the parishes, especially preparing the newly-communicated. Gathering some companions at home to work for the poor and the churches, on 15 Aug. 1873 they all made religious vows in the domestic chapel, and on 7 Sept. 1874 the new Congregation moved into a new house with the few poor girls already housed and educated in the paternal home. From that day, under the guidance of the Foundress, foundations multiplied in Italy as well as in Brazil and Argentina, and since the aim was to relieve every moral and material misery of the poor and working classes, to orphanages, day-nurseries, schools, recreation centres, etc., and to hospital care in hospitals, asylums, etc., were added printing-works, bookbinding, agricultural projects, fine arts, etc. The Foundress saw her Institute approved by the Holy See on 15 June 1906. In 1941 the informative process for her beatification was begun.