Inspired by lives of heroic faith and loving service, our models reflect humility, courage, and total trust in God. Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez and Mother Caterina Podestà shine as witnesses of joyful obedience, charity to the poor, and fidelity to God’s call. Their example continues to guide and inspire the mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden.
Our Models
Inspired by lives of heroic faith and loving service, our models reflect humility, courage, and total trust in God. Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez and Mother Caterina Podestà shine as witnesses of joyful obedience, charity to the poor, and fidelity to God’s call. Their example continues to guide and inspire the mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden.
Our Models
Inspired by lives of heroic faith and loving service, our models reflect humility, courage, and total trust in God. Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez and Mother Caterina Podestà shine as witnesses of joyful obedience, charity to the poor, and fidelity to God’s call. Their example continues to guide and inspire the mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden.
Our Models
Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez
Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez
Mother Caterina Podestà
Mother Caterina Podestà
Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez (1897–1932)
Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez (1897–1932)
Sister Maria Crescencia Perez is a Daughter of Our Lady of the Garden from Argentina who is in the process of canonization. She was declared Blessed in Pergamino, Buenos Aires, on Saturday, November 17, 2012.
Her tomb is constantly visited by numerous pilgrims from all over the country who come to venerate her remains, to ask for help, or to thank for favors. These are the facts God uses to communicate his message and tell us of his designs about Sister Maria Crescencia. Let’s pray for her canonization!
Maria Angélica Pérez, later known as Sister Maria Crescencia, was born on August 17, 1897 in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a deeply Catholic immigrant family of Spanish origin. She grew up in a home marked by strong faith, daily prayer, and the example of a devout mother.
She felt a call to religious life from a young age and entered the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden on December 31, 1915, taking the name Maria Crescencia. She made her religious profession in 1918, the same year her father passed away.
Dedicated to teaching and catechesis, she later served in hospitals, especially caring for children with bone tuberculosis. Due to her declining health, she was sent to Vallenar, Chile, where she continued her service with deep humility and joy despite great suffering. She accepted her illness as part of God’s will, saying, “For fulfilling the will of God I would go to the end of the world.”
She died on May 20, 1932, at age 34, after a holy and serene death, surrounded by her Sisters. Miraculous signs, such as a sweet fragrance and the incorrupt state of her body discovered in 1966, confirmed her sanctity in the eyes of many.
Her tomb, now in Pergamino, is a site of pilgrimage. She was declared Blessed by Pope Benedict XVI on November 17, 2012. Her life of humility, charity, and joyful obedience continues to inspire many.
Let us pray for her canonization.
Sister Maria Crescencia Perez is a Daughter of Our Lady of the Garden from Argentina who is in the process of canonization. She was declared Blessed in Pergamino, Buenos Aires, on Saturday, November 17, 2012.
Her tomb is constantly visited by numerous pilgrims from all over the country who come to venerate her remains, to ask for help, or to thank for favors. These are the facts God uses to communicate his message and tell us of his designs about Sister Maria Crescencia. Let’s pray for her canonization!
Maria Angélica Pérez, later known as Sister Maria Crescencia, was born on August 17, 1897 in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a deeply Catholic immigrant family of Spanish origin. She grew up in a home marked by strong faith, daily prayer, and the example of a devout mother.
She felt a call to religious life from a young age and entered the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden on December 31, 1915, taking the name Maria Crescencia. She made her religious profession in 1918, the same year her father passed away.
Dedicated to teaching and catechesis, she later served in hospitals, especially caring for children with bone tuberculosis. Due to her declining health, she was sent to Vallenar, Chile, where she continued her service with deep humility and joy despite great suffering. She accepted her illness as part of God’s will, saying, “For fulfilling the will of God I would go to the end of the world.”
She died on May 20, 1932, at age 34, after a holy and serene death, surrounded by her Sisters. Miraculous signs, such as a sweet fragrance and the incorrupt state of her body discovered in 1966, confirmed her sanctity in the eyes of many.
Her tomb, now in Pergamino, is a site of pilgrimage. She was declared Blessed by Pope Benedict XVI on November 17, 2012. Her life of humility, charity, and joyful obedience continues to inspire many.
Let us pray for her canonization.
Prayer
Prayer
Father of Jesus and our Father,
Through your Divine Spirit you make holiness flourish in your Church.
We give you thanks for Blessed María Crescencia Pérez
Who loved you with simplicity.
Her example and intercession,
May serve to extend your Kingdom
And to increase vocations to the religious life.
We humbly implore you that through her intercession
We might be granted the grace for which we ask… (Express your petition)
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Heart of Jesus, by the sufferings of your Sacred Heart,
Have mercy on us !
Father of Jesus and our Father,
Through your Divine Spirit you make holiness flourish in your Church.
We give you thanks for Blessed María Crescencia Pérez
Who loved you with simplicity.
Her example and intercession,
May serve to extend your Kingdom
And to increase vocations to the religious life.
We humbly implore you that through her intercession
We might be granted the grace for which we ask… (Express your petition)
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Heart of Jesus, by the sufferings of your Sacred Heart,
Have mercy on us !
Mother Caterina Podestà
Mother Caterina Podestà
Mother Caterina Podestà (1809–1865), Co-foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden, was a woman of deep faith, courage, and charity. Guided by St. Antonio Gianelli, she embraced a life of total consecration after the death of her husband, dedicating herself to serving the sick, the poor, and the dying.
In 1831, she entered the first community in Chiavari and soon became a pillar of the Institute’s growth. Her zeal led her beyond diocesan boundaries—to La Spezia, Bobbio, and Ventimiglia—where she organized communities and embodied heroic charity, especially during the cholera epidemic.
After Gianelli’s death in 1846, she carried forward his mission with unwavering fidelity, guiding the Congregation through trials, expansion, and the drafting of the Constitutions, which received diocesan approval in 1853. Her humility, prayerful leadership, and maternal heart inspired countless sisters and works of mercy.
By the time of her death, the Institute had expanded to 80 houses, firmly rooted in the spirit of its Founder and animated by her own deep love for Christ Crucified and for the poor.
Mother Caterina Podestà (1809–1865), Co-foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden, was a woman of deep faith, courage, and charity. Guided by St. Antonio Gianelli, she embraced a life of total consecration after the death of her husband, dedicating herself to serving the sick, the poor, and the dying.
In 1831, she entered the first community in Chiavari and soon became a pillar of the Institute’s growth. Her zeal led her beyond diocesan boundaries—to La Spezia, Bobbio, and Ventimiglia—where she organized communities and embodied heroic charity, especially during the cholera epidemic.
After Gianelli’s death in 1846, she carried forward his mission with unwavering fidelity, guiding the Congregation through trials, expansion, and the drafting of the Constitutions, which received diocesan approval in 1853. Her humility, prayerful leadership, and maternal heart inspired countless sisters and works of mercy.
By the time of her death, the Institute had expanded to 80 houses, firmly rooted in the spirit of its Founder and animated by her own deep love for Christ Crucified and for the poor.
Brief Sketch of the Life of Mother Caterina Podestà
Brief Sketch of the Life of Mother Caterina Podestà
Mother Caterina Podestà was born on October 9, 1809, in Paggi, a small hamlet of Chiavari on the Ligurian Levante coast. Her early years were marked by faith and responsibility. After her father’s death, the young Caterina helped her mother manage the family textile shop in Chiavari. Under the spiritual guidance of Canon Giacomo Rivarola, she deepened her devotion and felt an early attraction to religious life.
At seventeen, she met Fr. Antonio Gianelli, the new parish priest of St. John the Baptist Church in Chiavari, who became her confessor and spiritual guide. Following his counsel, Caterina continued to discern her vocation. At eighteen, she married Giuseppe Fontanarossa, but within two years she was widowed and left with a baby daughter.
Responding to God’s call, Caterina made a profound sacrifice: she entrusted her child to her grandmother and dedicated herself completely to God. On December 19, 1831, she entered the small community founded by Gianelli on Via Sant’Antonio, marking the beginning of her consecrated life. Only eight days later, on December 27, she made her religious profession.
Her zeal for service soon found expression in caring for the sick. On December 29, 1831, together with a few companions, she began the first mission of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden at the hospital in Chiavari, where Gianelli appointed her Superior. Endowed with wisdom, leadership, and deep spirituality, she became a close collaborator of the Founder, helping him organize new communities and strengthen their spiritual foundation.
Mother Caterina’s life was marked by prayer, sacrifice, and ardent love for Christ Crucified. Through her faith and dedication, she became the Co-foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and total trust in Divine Providence.
Mother Caterina Podestà was born on October 9, 1809, in Paggi, a small hamlet of Chiavari on the Ligurian Levante coast. Her early years were marked by faith and responsibility. After her father’s death, the young Caterina helped her mother manage the family textile shop in Chiavari. Under the spiritual guidance of Canon Giacomo Rivarola, she deepened her devotion and felt an early attraction to religious life.
At seventeen, she met Fr. Antonio Gianelli, the new parish priest of St. John the Baptist Church in Chiavari, who became her confessor and spiritual guide. Following his counsel, Caterina continued to discern her vocation. At eighteen, she married Giuseppe Fontanarossa, but within two years she was widowed and left with a baby daughter.
Responding to God’s call, Caterina made a profound sacrifice: she entrusted her child to her grandmother and dedicated herself completely to God. On December 19, 1831, she entered the small community founded by Gianelli on Via Sant’Antonio, marking the beginning of her consecrated life. Only eight days later, on December 27, she made her religious profession.
Her zeal for service soon found expression in caring for the sick. On December 29, 1831, together with a few companions, she began the first mission of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden at the hospital in Chiavari, where Gianelli appointed her Superior. Endowed with wisdom, leadership, and deep spirituality, she became a close collaborator of the Founder, helping him organize new communities and strengthen their spiritual foundation.
Mother Caterina’s life was marked by prayer, sacrifice, and ardent love for Christ Crucified. Through her faith and dedication, she became the Co-foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and total trust in Divine Providence.
Address
Maria Sadan, Khandwa Naka
Oppo. New Digamber Public
School Kasturbagram P.O.
452020, Indore, M.P
solg@rediffmail.com
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© 2025 Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden. All Rights Reserved.
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Address
Maria Sadan, Khandwa NakaOppo.New Digamber Public School Kasturbagram P.O.452020, Indore, M.P
solg@rediffmail.com
Connect With Us
Follow our journey and join us in prayer and service.
© 2025 Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Address
Maria Sadan, Khandwa Naka
Oppo. New Digamber Public
School Kasturbagram P.O.
452020, Indore, M.P
solg@rediffmail.com
Connect With Us
Follow our journey and join us in prayer and service.
© 2025 Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy