St. Maria Domininka Mazzarello

Devoted to apostolate from her youth, she later became faithful to Fr. A follower of Bosco. Together with him, he created the Institute of the Daughters of Mary's Help of Christians, which is especially concerned with the education of needy girls and girls. An exemplary nun, although not a graduate of any science, presided over this institute with great wisdom. The love emanating from Maria Domininka attracted many young women and made them race with generosity. Undistinguished, they lived heroic lives relying on Providence. They were accompanied by the family warmth that the humble "vicar" created around them. That spirit has persisted over the years. Under the leadership of M. D. Mazzarello, the institute began to expand significantly.

Due to her human and Christian gifts, she remains a role model not only for the sisters of the Institute of the Daughters of Christian Help of Mary, but also for other members of the Salesian family and friends who follow the great ideal of apostolate of the youth.

"Courage, my daughters, this life passes quickly, and at the moment of death we have only our works; it is important that they are well done. In the face of death, caprices, pride, vanity, the desire to know everything, and the unwillingness to obey those less intelligent than ourselves, will cause us great confusion." (St. Mary Dominic Mazzarello)

"Be holy!" You say, who can aspire to so much? After all, you should have plenty of time to be in church constantly; one would have to be very rich to give generous alms; we should be well-educated so that we can understand, learn, reason! Thinking like this is a very big mistake. It is not true that holiness consists of complex and exclusive things available only to a select few. Not true, holiness is doing well what we have to do. Saints fulfilled their duty to God, suffering in the name of His love, offering their pains and sufferings. This is the way of holiness.” (Fr. J. Bosco)