Francesca Paola Prestigiacomo

Guided by Father Emanuele Calì and with the authorization of Cardinal Michelangelo Celesia, she founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of the Incarnate Word in Palermo on September 14, 1884, with her companion Eufemia Re. The institute unites contemplation and apostolic action, dedicating itself to the education of youth and to catechesis. Under her leadership, the institute developed rapidly, opening 18 houses in Sicily, Calabria, and Rome. It received diocesan approval in 1890, the decree of praise in 1902, and definitive approval by Pope Pius XI on January 27, 1930. Mother Carmela assumed the office of Superior General until August 1947. She passed away in Rome on December 14, 1948.

After her death in the odor of sanctity, her cause for beatification and canonization was introduced. The Holy See granted the nihil obstat decree on December 9, 1991. The diocesan inquiry into her life and virtues took place in Rome from March 6, 1992, to April 13, 1994. The validity of this inquiry was recognized by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on October 15, 1994, and the Positio was published in 2000.

On November 18, 2014, the ordinary session of the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted unanimously in favor of the heroic nature of her virtues. On December 6, 2014, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing her heroic virtues, thereby conferring upon her the title of Venerable.

Mother Carmela's spirituality is based on the Incarnation of the Word, the Eucharist, and devotion to the Virgin Mary. Her motto was: "Volere sempre ciò che Dio vuole, come lo vuole e quando lo vuole". She also promoted devotion to the "Adorable Head of Jesus", approved by Pope Pius X in 1904. Today, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of the Incarnate Word continue her work in Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Palestine, and Switzerland, with their general house established in Rome.