Teodora Campostrini

On the advice of her doctors and guided by her spiritual director, Teodora retired on July 6, 1818, to San Massimo, a suburb of Verona, with two companions. It was there that she laid the foundations of the congregation of the Minims Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Sorrows (in Italian: Sorelle Minime della Carità di Maria Addolorata). In 1821, the convent was moved near the church of Santa Maria in Organo in Verona. The institute founded by Teodora Campostrini is characterized by an original harmony between the contemplative life (the sisters live in enclosure) and the active life, turned towards the free instruction of young girls, particularly those from the poorest and most neglected classes of Verona. The sisters adopted the Rule of Saint Augustine and constitutions based on those of the Order of the Visitation. Teodora drafted the first Constitutions of the institute in 1822. These were approved by the Bishop of Verona in 1831, then received the approval of Gregory XVI in 1833, and finally the definitive approval of Pope Pius IX in April 1848 as an order with solemn vows. Elected superior in 1837, she led the congregation for twelve years with great prudence and tireless zeal. Concerned with the quality of education, she obtained authorization in 1836 to open a course in modern methodology for the training of elementary school teachers. To associate the laity with the work and spirituality of the institute, she also founded the "Company of the Virgin of Sorrows" (Compagnia della Madonna Addolorata) in 1824, and then the "Company of the Sacred Heart" (Compagnia del Sacro Cuore) in 1850.

Despite very precarious health and continual physical suffering, Teodora Campostrini led a life of deep union with God, marked by patience, strength of soul, and balance. In 1854, she was struck by hemiplegia on her left side, which greatly limited her movements but in no way altered her spiritual devotion. She passed away holily in Verona on May 22, 1860, at the age of 71. Her body rests in the chapel of the institute's motherhouse in Verona. The reputation for holiness that she enjoyed during her lifetime continued after her death. The cause for beatification was officially opened at the diocesan level in Verona in 1960. The informative process concluded on June 3, 1964. After the examination of her writings and the obtaining of the decree of validity for the diocesan processes on June 15, 2011, the cause progressed to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

On March 3, 2016, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Teodora Campostrini, thereby conferring upon her the title of Venerable. For her beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession is required by the Church. To date, no miracle has been the subject of an official decree of validation by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

The spirituality of Teodora Campostrini is deeply rooted in the contemplation of the sorrows of the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Sorrows) and in the mystery of the Cross, from which her commitment to charity towards the least among us flows. She knew how to reconcile the requirement of silence and contemplative prayer with avant-garde educational action. In order to better dedicate themselves to their apostolate, the sisters decided to renounce the enclosure, which was suppressed by a rescript on August 13, 1921. This suppression marked the beginning of a period of expansion for the congregation, which opened numerous houses in Italy. New constitutions were approved by the Holy See in 1940, and then definitively in 1956. Her legacy continues today through the Minims of Charity of Our Lady of Sorrows, who pursue their educational and charitable mission in Italy and abroad (notably in Romania since October 24, 1991). The foundation for studies that bears her name in Verona also continues to promote her pedagogical project based on consistency, intellectual honesty, and the integral development of the human person.