The Sisters of Saint Ann draw inspiration and guidance from the lives of holy men and women who embodied the Gospel message through their dedication to serving God and the poor. Their examples continue to illuminate our path and strengthen our commitment to our charism.
Patron Saint
Saint Ann
Our Congregation is placed under the protection of Saint Ann, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ. Venerated for centuries as the model of mothers and educators, Saint Ann represents the faithful transmission of faith from one generation to the next.
Though not mentioned by name in the canonical Gospels, sacred tradition honors Saint Ann as a woman of deep faith who prepared Mary for her unique role in salvation history. Her example of patient devotion, humble service, and loving formation continues to inspire mothers, grandmothers, and educators throughout the world.
As Sisters of Saint Ann, we seek to emulate her dedication to nurturing faith in young hearts, her commitment to family life, and her quiet strength in serving God’s plan. Saint Ann’s intercession guides our educational apostolate and our work with families, especially those in need.
Feast Day: July 26
Patronage: Mothers, grandmothers, educators, women in labor
Blessed
Blessed Enrichetta Dominici
1829-1894 | Blessed Enrichetta Dominici was a religious sister and the third Superior General of the Sisters of Saint Ann. Born in Carmagnola, Italy, she entered the congregation in 1850 and dedicated her life to serving the poor and abandoned.
As Superior General, Blessed Enrichetta guided the congregation through a period of significant growth and development. She founded numerous houses, schools, and institutions throughout Italy, always maintaining a preferential option for the poor and marginalized. Her leadership was marked by profound spirituality, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to the congregation’s charism.
On May 7, 1978, Pope Paul VI proclaimed her Blessed, recognizing her spiritual wealth and fecundity. He recommended her journey of sanctity as a model to be followed by all religious, particularly those dedicated to education and service of the poor. Her life exemplifies how ordinary faithfulness to God’s will can lead to extraordinary holiness.
Blessed Enrichetta’s spirituality was characterized by deep Eucharistic devotion, trust in Divine Providence, and maternal care for her sisters and those they served. Her writings reveal a soul intimately united with God and completely dedicated to His service through the congregation’s mission.
Beatified: May 7, 1978 by Pope Paul VI
Feast Day: February 21
Legacy: Expanded the congregation’s mission to serve the poor and abandoned
Carlo Tancredi and Giulia di Barolo
Founders of the Sisters of Saint Ann
Marchese Carlo Tancredi of Barolo (1782-1838) and Marchesa Giulia Colbert di Barolo (1785-1864) were a noble couple from Turin, Italy, whose extraordinary marriage became a partnership in charity and service to the poor. Together, they founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Ann in 1834, creating a lasting legacy of compassion and faith.
A Marriage Rooted in Love of God
Carlo and Giulia’s marriage was childless, but far from empty. They transformed their personal disappointment into a profound vocation of service, channeling their love into caring for abandoned children, imprisoned women, the elderly, and the destitute. Their palazzo in Turin became a center of charitable works, and their lives became a testament to the transformative power of faith-filled love.
Carlo, deeply moved by the plight of prisoners, worked tirelessly for prison reform and the rehabilitation of ex-convicts. Giulia dedicated herself to rescuing young women from prostitution and providing them with education and dignified work. Together, they founded schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly, and other charitable institutions throughout Turin and Piedmont.
Founding the Sisters of Saint Ann
In 1834, recognizing the need for dedicated religious sisters to continue their charitable works, Carlo and Giulia founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Ann. The congregation was established specifically to serve the most abandoned members of society—those whom no one else would help. From the beginning, the sisters embraced a charism centered on serving “the little ones and the poor” with maternal care and practical assistance.
After Carlo’s death in 1838, Giulia continued their shared mission for another 26 years, guiding the young congregation and expanding its reach. She personally formed the first sisters, instilling in them the spirit of humble service and total dedication to God’s will that had characterized her marriage to Carlo.
Their Enduring Legacy
The love of God on which Carlo and Giulia based their life continues to shine even today through their works. The Sisters of Saint Ann, now serving in multiple countries across the world, carry forward the founders’ vision of bringing Christ’s love to the most vulnerable. Every sister who dedicates her life to this mission becomes a living continuation of Carlo and Giulia’s extraordinary partnership in charity.
The Process of Canonization for both Carlo and Giulia is currently in progress. It is hoped that they will be proclaimed blessed “together” and “as a couple,” becoming a shining model of sanctity for all Christian marriages and families. Their potential beatification would recognize not only their individual holiness but also the sanctifying power of married love lived in service to God and neighbor.
Carlo Tancredi of Barolo: 1782-1838
Giulia Colbert di Barolo: 1785-1864
Congregation Founded: 1834
Feast of Divine Providence: October 26
Canonization Status: Process in progress
Their potential beatification as a couple would offer a powerful witness to married couples everywhere that holiness can be achieved through the mutual love and shared mission of marriage.