Paula Frassinetti was a 19th-century Italian nun who established several religious communities. Born in Genoa in 1809 to a cloth merchant, she took on significant household responsibilities at the young age of twelve. She is primarily recognized for founding the Daughters of Holy Faith in 1834 and later establishing the Sisters of Saint Dorothy. Her religious work, which included the Pious Work of Saint Dorothy, expanded from Rome to international locations such as Malta, Portugal, and Brazil.
Life and work
After managing her family's home during her youth, Frassinetti dedicated her life to religious service. In 1834, she founded the Daughters of Holy Faith, later assuming the Pious Work of Saint Dorothy. By May 1841, she had established a house in Rome, which served as a base for the Sisters of Saint Dorothy. This community eventually grew beyond Italy, reaching Brazil, Portugal, and Malta.
Veneration and legacy
Frassinetti died in Rome in 1882 from pneumonia. Her body was reported to be incorrupt in 1906. She was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1930 and later canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. The Catholic Church commemorates her as a saint, with her feast day observed annually on June 11.