Teresa Maria Manetti

On July 15, 1874, the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bettina and two companions retired to a humble dwelling located below the embankment of the Bisenzio River, which the inhabitants of Campi Bisenzio quickly nicknamed the "Conventino" (the little convent). There, they led a life of prayer, penance, and charity. Shortly after, they enrolled in the Teresian Third Order. In this initial phase, they benefited from the spiritual guidance of Father Ernesto Jacopozzi, chaplain of San Martino, who would support the work until his death in 1894. Although initially drawn to a purely contemplative life, Bettina understood that God was calling her to active charity among the most destitute. In 1877, she promised a dying woman that she would take care of her orphaned daughters. This event definitively oriented the community's mission: the reception and education of abandoned girls and orphans, the teaching of the catechism, and assistance to the poor. The institute developed rapidly. In 1887, a new convent and a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus were built in San Martino to accommodate the sisters and the children. The congregation, now known as the Suore Carmelitane di Santa Teresa di Firenze (Carmelite Sisters of Saint Teresa of Florence), spread throughout Tuscany and then all of Italy. The institute was recognized by pontifical right on March 13, 1900 (and aggregated to the Order of Carmel on October 15, 1903). Under the impetus of the foundress, the first missions abroad were opened at the beginning of the 20th century in Syria and Palestine (notably in Lebanon and the Holy Land). Afflicted with uterine cancer diagnosed in 1906, the foundress endured long and painful suffering with heroic patience and unalterable joy. She passed away on April 23, 1910, in Campi Bisenzio, surrounded by her spiritual daughters.

After her death, the reputation for holiness of Mother Teresa Maria della Croce continued to grow. On April 22, 1912, her body was transferred to the church of the convent of San Martino in Campi Bisenzio. The informative process for her beatification was opened, and the cause was officially introduced to the Sacred Congregation of Rites under the pontificate of Pius XII in 1944. On May 23, 1975, Pope Paul VI signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, conferring upon her the title of Venerable. To pave the way for her beatification, a miracle that occurred through her intercession was examined: the sudden and scientifically inexplicable healing of Sister Emmanuela Boggiani, who was suffering from acute peritonitis. This miracle was officially recognized by a decree promulgated by Pope John Paul II on November 16, 1985.

The beatification ceremony of Teresa Maria della Croce was celebrated by Pope John Paul II on October 19, 1986, at the municipal stadium of Florence, during his pastoral visit to the archdiocese. In his apostolic letter Si fuerit, the Sovereign Pontiff set her liturgical memorial for April 23, the day of her birth into heaven. In 1999, Blessed Teresa Maria della Croce was officially proclaimed patroness of the municipality of Campi Bisenzio.

The spirituality of Blessed Teresa Maria della Croce rests upon an intimate union between Carmelite contemplation and apostolic action. Nourished by prayer, silence, and a profound Eucharistic adoration, she drew from the mystery of the Cross the strength to give herself entirely to the poor and the orphans. She loved to repeat: "For Jesus, everything is little. Let us be generous, certain that He will not let Himself be outdone in courtesy." Today, the Carmelites of Saint Teresa of Florence (often called the "Bettine" in Italy) continue the work of their founder. The congregation is active not only in Italy, but also in Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and the Czech Republic, working primarily in the fields of youth education, parish ministry, and social assistance.