Teresa Militerni

In 1901, the Sisters of Saint John the Baptist (commonly called the Battistine Sisters), a congregation founded by Saint Alfonso Maria Fusco, arrived in Cetraro. They officially opened a house there on March 19, 1902, under the name 'Istituto San Giuseppe' (Saint Joseph Institute). Teresa collaborated with them immediately. Recognizing God's call in this work, she overcame her family's reluctance and entered the postulancy on September 7, 1903. On July 7, 1904, she began her novitiate at the motherhouse in Angri, where she received the religious habit and took the name Sister Crocifissa (Sister Crucified), due to her particular devotion to the Passion of Christ. She made her first profession on December 8, 1905, and then her perpetual vows on September 8, 1910. Upon returning to Cetraro, she deployed intense charitable and educational activity. She contributed to the expansion of local works: festive schools, welcoming orphans, the creation of a kindergarten (which would later take the name 'Princess Mafalda'), a hospice for the elderly, and a municipal hospital. In 1909, she was appointed superior of the Cetraro community. Under her leadership, she undertook the construction of a new convent, called the 'Ritiro' (the Retreat), the first stone of which was laid on December 15, 1912. Due to her spiritual qualities and wisdom, she was called to Rome on October 7, 1915, to become mistress of novices at the general house of the congregation. In 1919, she was also elected general councilor of the institute.

In 1924, while undergoing nursing training, Sister Crocifissa fell gravely ill, afflicted by a tumor. Faced with the deterioration of her health, her superiors decided to send her back to her native village of Cetraro to receive care. She endured her physical sufferings with heroic patience and serenity, offering herself as a sacrifice in union with the suffering Christ. After a final surgical intervention that proved futile, she died on March 25, 1925, in Cetraro, at the age of 50. Her reputation for holiness, already well-established during her lifetime among her fellow sisters and the inhabitants of Cetraro, continued to grow after her death.

The cause for the beatification and canonization of Sister Crocifissa Militerni was officially introduced in the Diocese of San Marco Argentano-Scalea. The diocesan inquiry into the heroicity of her virtues opened on December 21, 2014, and concluded solemnly on May 19, 2018. On January 22, 2026, Pope Leo XIV received in audience Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God. She was thus declared Venerable.

The spirituality of the Venerable Crocifissa Militerni is deeply marked by the love of the Crucified Christ, whose name she wished to bear and whose sufferings she wished to share. Her humility was such that she constantly sought to efface herself behind her works. She drew inspiration from great spiritual figures such as Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Her legacy remains alive in Cetraro and within the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint John the Baptist, who continue to be inspired by her zeal for the education of the youth, the care of the sick, and aid to the most destitute.