Maria Teresa Cortimiglia

During her convalescence, Sister Maria Teresa discerned the call to found a work for the education of orphans. On March 19, 1903, she founded the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Clare in Corleone, joined by three former Poor Clares. With the help of Father Stanislao Maria Restivo, she drafted the constitutions, combining Franciscan contemplative life with active apostolate (instruction, Christian education, and aid to the destitute). The institute was approved by Bishop Augusto Intreccialagli in 1922, canonically erected in 1923, and aggregated to the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis. Mother Maria Teresa passed away on June 1, 1934, in Palermo.

After her death, her reputation for holiness grew. In 1949, her remains were transferred to the church of Santa Caterina in Palermo. The diocesan informative process for her cause of beatification opened on May 19, 1960, and closed on December 10, 1980. The validity of this process was recognized by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on September 15, 1989, and the Positio was published in 1992.

On December 21, 1998, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, conferring upon her the title of Venerable. For her beatification, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession is required. To this day, no miracle has been officially approved, and the cause is ongoing.

Her spirituality is rooted in the Franciscan charism: humility, poverty, love of the divine will, and charity. She had a particular devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and the Child Jesus, whom she venerated through a small statue she affectionately called "Ninno mio". Her legacy continues through the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Clare, who received the pontifical decree of praise on March 25, 1971, under Paul VI. They are present in Italy, Colombia, Panama, Poland, and Switzerland. In Corleone, the "Casa Museo Madre Teresa Cortimiglia" preserves her personal items and instruments of penance.