VINCENZA GEROSA, Saint. – Co-founder of the Institute of the Sisters of Charity or of Mary Bambina, born in Lovere (diocese of Brescia) on 29 Oct. 1784, died there on 28 June 1847.
With her sister Rosa, she offered a villa inherited from their family to shelter the sick; this villa was to become a hospital only upon their death. She entrusted its direction to the future St. Bartolomea Capitano. Learning that Bartolomea intended to found a new Institute to expand her aims and broaden the scope of her work, Vincenza wished to become her companion and support, reserving for herself, as she put it, the role of the ox.
The new Congregation was born in that hospital on 21 Nov. 1832.
When the Capitano died at the outset of the work, all the burden of drafting the Constitutions, launching the Institute, securing its approval, and training the new recruits fell upon Vincenza. Though lacking great intellectual gifts, she was rich in common sense and possessed a soul that was prayerful, penitent, and heroic. She overcame every difficulty, increasing the number of houses and sisters and spreading them even to mission lands. At her death, she left 24 houses with 243 religious. She was beatified by Pius XI on 7 Mar. 1933 and canonized by Pius XII on 18 May 1950. Feast day: 28 June.