Annunciata Cocchetti

In 1831, Annunciata settled in Cemmo to assist Erminia Panzerini in her girls' school. After the latter's death in 1842, she completed her novitiate in Venice with the Sisters of Saint Dorothy and took her vows in 1843. In 1853, she founded the autonomous congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy of Cemmo, dedicated to the integral education of young girls and the training of Christian educators. She led the institute with wisdom, despite total blindness during her final nine years, before passing away on March 23, 1882.

The cause for beatification was introduced in 1972. On May 13, 1989, John Paul II declared her Venerable. The miracle accepted for her beatification was the scientifically inexplicable healing, in 1947, of Bortolina Milesi, a 13-year-old girl suffering from an incurable malignant intestinal tumor. After prayers were addressed to Annunciata Cocchetti, the teenager was suddenly healed. This miracle was officially recognized by the Pope on July 10, 1990.

Annunciata Cocchetti was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 21, 1991, in Saint Peter's Square, alongside Jeanne Haze and Chiara Bosatta. Her liturgical feast is set for March 23 in the Roman Martyrology, corresponding to the day of her death. However, the Diocese of Brescia and her congregation celebrate her memory on May 11, the anniversary of her baptism.

Annunciata's spirituality is centered on the love of the Heart of Jesus. Her pedagogy favors friendship, gentleness, and prevention. Today, the Sisters of Saint Dorothy of Cemmo, who received definitive pontifical approval in 1941, continue her work in Italy, as well as in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil) and Africa (Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo). Her remains rest in the chapel of the Motherhouse in Cemmo.