Saint Vincenza Maria Poloni – Founder of Sisters of Mercy & Saint of Charity

ST. VINCENZA MARIA POLONI

Vincenza Maria Poloni was an Italian religious sister who co-founded the Sisters of Mercy of Verona and lived a life of humble charity, visiting the sick, serving orphans and the poor, and teaching that “the poor are our masters.”

Luigia Francesca Maria Poloni was born on 26 January 1802 in Verona, Italy, the youngest of twelve children of Gaetano Poloni and Margherita Biadego. Baptised hours after birth, she grew up in a devout Christian home and early on engaged in charitable activities, accompanying her father in volunteer work for the sick and needy. Recognizing a deeper call, she entered into spiritual guidance under the priest and future-blessed Charles Steeb, who encouraged her toward religious life. Together they founded, in 1840, the Sisters of Mercy of Verona, a congregation inspired by the charism of mercy and service to the most vulnerable. On 10 September 1848 she made her profession, assuming the name “Maria Vincenza”. As superior of the new institute, she prioritized the care of the sick, the orphaned, and the destitute, famously saying that the poor were “our masters”. She travelled, guided the foundation of new houses, and established the congregation’s mission of service, education and health care. In her final years she was struck by a tumorous illness; despite surgery the condition worsened and she died in Verona on 11 November 1855 at the age of 53. The congregation she co-founded grew beyond Italy into Africa, South America and elsewhere, continuing her spirit of humble service and mercy. The Catholic Church recognised her heroic virtue and beatified her on 21 September 2008. Later, a second miracle attributed to her intercession was approved and she was canonised on 19 October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.

Feast Day

11-11-

Birth Date

26-1-1802

Died Date

11-11-1855

Canonised Date

19-10-2025

Verona, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia (Italy)

“O Lord Jesus Christ, help me to serve the sick and the poor with joyful mercy, as Saint Vincenza Maria Poloni taught us.”
ST. VINCENZA MARIA POLONI

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ST. VINCENZA MARIA POLONI

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