Saint Agnes of Montepulciano
Born in 1274 in Tuscany, Agnes of Montepulciano manifested early piety before becoming a major figure of the Order of Sa…
Category
foundress
49 saints
Saint Aldegonde
Saint Aldegonde, consecrated to God at the age of fourteen, founded the monastery that gave rise to the city of Maubeuge…
Saint Aldegonde of Maubeuge
A princess of Hainaut in the 7th century, Aldegonde fled marriage to dedicate herself to God. After miraculously crossin…
Saint Angela Merici
Born in Desenzano, Angela Merici dedicated herself to piety and penance from childhood. After pilgrimages to Jerusalem a…
Blessed Angeline of Marsciano
Born in 1377 near Orvieto, Angeline of Marsciano dedicated her life to God despite a forced marriage, which she lived in…
Saint Athanasia of Aegina
Twice widowed on the island of Aegina in the 9th century, Athanasia dedicated her life and possessions to God by foundin…
Saint Bathild (Queen of France)
An English princess sold as a slave to the Frankish court, Bathild became the wife of Clovis II and regent of the kingdo…
Blessed Beatrice of Este
A princess of the illustrious House of Este and widow of the Lord of Vicenza, Beatrice followed her aunt's example by de…
Saint Bertha of Blangy
A princess of royal blood and widow of Sigefroy, Berthe founded the Abbey of Blangy in Artois in the 7th century followi…
Saint Bridget of Sweden (Widow)
A Swedish princess married to the Prince of Nericia, Bridget led an exemplary family life before dedicating herself enti…
Saint Brigid the Thaumaturge
Saint Brigid, nicknamed the Thaumaturge, is the patron saint of Ireland along with Saint Patrick. Founder of the monaste…
Catherine Mechtilde of the Blessed Sacrament
Catherine de Bar, in religion Mother Mechtilde of the Blessed Sacrament, is the founder of the Institute of the Benedict…
Saint Ceronne
Born to pagan parents near Béziers in the 5th century, Céronne fled with her brother Sophronius to receive baptism in Bo…
Saint Clare of Assisi
A noblewoman of Assisi, Clare renounced her fortune in 1212 to follow the ideal of poverty of Saint Francis. Foundress o…
Blessed Clare of Rimini
A noble lady of Rimini in the 13th century, Clare turned to heroic penance after a second marriage and family tragedies.…
Saint Colette (Nicole)
Born miraculously in Corbie, Colette dedicated herself to a life of austerity before becoming the great reformer of the …
Saint Émilie de Rodat
Born in 1787 in Aveyron, Émilie de Rodat dedicated her life to the free instruction of poor girls and the care of the ne…
Saint Eustadiola
Coming from a senatorial family of Bourges in the 7th century, Eustadiola became a widow and dedicated her fortune to Go…
Saint Frances of Rome
A Roman noblewoman married against her will, Frances lived forty years of exemplary marriage before founding the congreg…
Blessed Françoise d'Amboise
Françoise d'Amboise, Duchess of Brittany in the 15th century, distinguished herself by her early piety and wise influenc…
Saint Gertrude (Geretrude)
Daughter of the lord of Douai and relative of the Merovingians, Saint Gertrude retired to Hamage after her widowhood on …
Saint Glossinde (Glossinne)
A noble virgin of the 7th century, Glossinde refused marriage and took refuge in the Church of Saint-Étienne in Metz, wh…
Saint Hildegard (Hiltegarde)
Born in 1098 in Germany, Saint Hildegard was a Benedictine abbess and a great mystic of the 12th century. Famous for her…
Blessed Humility of Florence
Born Rosana in Faenza, she lived nine years in marriage before embracing religious life with her husband. After a period…
Blessed Ida, Countess of Boulogne
A descendant of Charlemagne and mother of Godfrey of Bouillon, Ida was a countess exemplary for her piety and charity. A…
Saint Irmina of Trier
Daughter of King Dagobert II of Austrasia, Saint Irmina renounced the world after the sudden death of her fiancé to beco…
Saint Isabel (Elizabeth) of France
A princess of France and sister of Saint Louis, Isabelle refused royal alliances to dedicate herself to God. She founded…
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
Widowed at twenty-eight after the accidental death of her husband, Jane Frances Frémyot dedicated herself to the educati…
Saint Joan of Valois
Daughter of Louis XI and the neglected wife of Louis XII, Joan of Valois accepted her repudiation with piety to dedicate…
Venerable Marguerite of the Blessed Sacrament
A Carmelite nun in Beaune in the 17th century, Marguerite du Saint-Sacrement dedicated herself from childhood to the dev…
Blessed Marie of the Incarnation (Madame Acarie)
Born Barbe Avrillot in Paris, she led an exemplary life as a mother before becoming the central figure in the introducti…
Marie-Anne Rivier
In 1796, Marie-Anne Rivier founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Thueyts for the educat…
Saint Martha (Hostess of Jesus Christ)
Sister of Lazarus and Mary Magdalene, Martha is famous for having welcomed Jesus at Bethany. After the Resurrection, she…
Blessed Mary Anne of Jesus
A 17th-century noblewoman from Madrid, Marie-Anne de Jésus overcame her family's opposition to dedicate herself to God. …
Saint Mary of Cervellione
Born in Barcelona in 1230 through the prayers of Saint Peter Nolasco, Mary of Cervellione dedicated her life to God, ref…
Saint Matilda (Mahault)
Wife of Henry I and mother of Otto the Great, Saint Matilda was an Empress of Germany exemplary for her humility and cha…
Venerable Mother Jeanne de Lestonnac
Widow of the Marquis de Montferrant, Jeanne de Lestonnac founded the Order of Our Lady in Bordeaux, dedicated to the edu…
Blessed Oringa (Christina of the Holy Cross)
Born poor in Tuscany, Oringa refused marriage to dedicate herself to God, fleeing her family to become a servant in Lucc…
Saint Paula of Rome
An illustrious Roman patrician descended from the Scipios, Paula dedicated herself to God after her widowhood under the …
Saint Radegund, Queen of France
A Thuringian princess captured by Chlothar I, Radegund became Queen of France despite her deep piety. After the murder o…
Saint Reine and Blessed Aldebert
A relative of King Pepin and wife of Aldebert, Count of Ostrevent, Saint Reine led a life of exemplary charity. Together…
Saint Richardis, Empress
Wife of Emperor Charles the Fat, Saint Richardis was unjustly accused of infidelity. She miraculously proved her innocen…
Saint Scholastica
Sister of Saint Benedict born in Norcia, Scholastica dedicated herself to religious life from childhood. She founded the…
Sister Mary Magdalene (Julie Postel)
Julie Postel, in religion Sister Marie-Madeleine, is the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy in the 19th century. She dedi…
Blessed Stephana de Quinzani
A 16th-century Dominican nun, Stefana de Quinzani dedicated herself to God from childhood. She experienced a profound my…
Saint Teresa of Avila
Born in Avila in 1515, Teresa entered the Carmel where she experienced intense mystical events, including the transverbe…
Saint Ulpha (Virgin and Recluse)
A solitary virgin of the 8th century, Saint Ulphe settled near Amiens to flee the world. Under the guidance of Saint Dom…
Saint Waltrude (Vaudre)
Saint Waltrude, a noble lady of the 7th century, founded the city of Mons after leading an exemplary life as a wife and …
Saint Wivine
Born of a noble lineage, Saint Wivine refused marriage to dedicate herself to God. After a life as a hermit near Brussel…