St. Paulina of Brazil

OUR CONNECTION TO THIS SAINT
At the dedication of our church, the Brazilian Catholic community of our diocese presented relics of this first saint of Brazil to the bishop and our parish. Following an ancient tradition, Bishop Coleman then buried these remains under the altar. Thus is signified that the sacrifice of the members has its source in the sacrifice of the Head.

A sheet outlining the extraordinary biography of the saint is available in the Bay Room.

We have two images of the saint in our church. A framed photo is in the Study. The first stained glass window on the left inside the Works of Mercy Chapel tells of her service to children, the sick, and those in jail.

Biography of St. Paulina

Mother Paulina, born Amabile Lucia Visintainer, grew up in Vigolo, in Brazil but she was born in Italy at Vigolo Vattaro (Trent) on December 16, 1865. Amabile was ten years old when her family emigrated to Brazil. While still a child Amabile performed acts of charity. At the age of twelve she helped in the parish, teaching catechism to younger children, visiting the sick, cleaning the little church. When she was 25, Amabile and a friend, Virginia Rosa Nicolodi, obtained permission from their parents to go to live in an old empty house to care for a woman suffering with cancer: this was the first step towards founding the Sisters of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. It was July 12, 1890, the date recorded as the foundation of Mother Paulina’s Sisters, Brazil’s first locally founded religious Congregation.

In 1895 Amabile and the small group of women who had joined her, are officially recognized as the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception. In December of the same year they take their religious vows and Amabillle Lucia Visitainer is given the name of Sister Paulina do Coracao Agonizante de Jesus. The Sisters live in extreme poverty and besides assisting the sick and orphans they work on plantations and at a small local silk factory. In 1903 Mother Paulina opens Holy Family House in Sao Paulo for old people and the children of former slaves. The institute expands and other Houses are opened. For nine years, 1909-1918 Mother Paolina suffers humiliation, political maneuvers remove her from the position of Superior of her congregation. In 1938 she is stricken by physical suffering: diabetes which leads to amputation and total blindness. She died on July 9, 1942.

(source: Xavier Missionaries)