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Leopoldina Naudet

Leopoldina Naudet was an Italian religious sister of French and Austrian descent and the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Verona. She was known for her strong devotion to the moral and civic education of girls, incorporating religious values into her order's curriculum. Naudet was proclaimed Venerable in 2007 and beatified in 2017.

Key Facts

  • Leopoldina Naudet was born in Florence in 1773 to a French father and an Austrian mother.
  • She served in the court of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, and later his daughter, Maria Anna.
  • Naudet founded the Sisters of the Holy Family of Verona in 1816, dedicating her order to the education of girls.
  • Her order's curriculum emphasized moral, CIVIC, and religious education, along with subjects like drawing and languages.
  • The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family received papal approval on 23 December 1833, months before her death.
  • She died in Verona on 17 August 1834, with her final words being, "I want only what God wills!"
Full Name
Leopoldina Naudet
Birth Year
1773
Death Year
1834
Beatification Date
29 April 2017
Beatified By
Pope Francis
Patronage

Education of Girls

Religious Order

Congregation of Dilette of Jesus, Sisters of the Holy Family of Verona

Birth Place
Florence
Death Place
Verona
Venerated In
Main Veneration Location
Verona
Relics Location
Mother House of her congregation
Early Life
Born in Florence in 1773, Leopoldina Naudet's father was French and her mother Austrian. After her mother's death in 1778, she was entrusted to the Nuns of St. Frediano and later pursued further education in Soissons with the Sisters of Notre Dame. She returned to Florence at sixteen and became a teacher to the children of Grand Duke Leopold, forming a close relationship with Archduchess Maria Anna.

About Leopoldina Naudet

Leopoldina Naudet, born in Florence on May 31, 1773, was an Italian religious sister of French and Austrian heritage. She is recognized as the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Verona, an order dedicated to the education of young women. Naudet's life was characterized by her strong commitment to both the spiritual and intellectual formation of girls, particularly in the city of Verona.

Life and Service

Born into a family with significant connections to European courts, Naudet initially served in the court of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor. Following the Emperor's death, she continued her service to his daughter, Maria Anna. During this period, Naudet became deeply involved with religious life, eventually joining the Congregation of Dilette of Jesus. Her experiences in court and religious service laid the groundwork for her later endeavors in education and establishing her own congregation.

Founding the Sisters of the Holy Family

In 1816, Naudet established the Sisters of the Holy Family in Verona. Her vision for this order centered on providing a comprehensive education for girls, focusing not only on religious values but also on moral and civic development. The curriculum she designed included subjects such as drawing, French, English, catechism, and economics, reflecting a holistic approach to female education. The congregation received papal approval from Pope Gregory XVI on December 23, 1833, shortly before Naudet's death.

Beatification

Leopoldina Naudet died in Verona on August 17, 1834. Her cause for sainthood progressed over many years, with her being proclaimed Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on July 6, 2007, recognizing her heroic virtue. Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to her intercession on December 21, 2016, leading to her beatification, which was celebrated in Verona on April 29, 2017.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where was Leopoldina Naudet born?

Leopoldina Naudet was born in Florence, Italy, on May 31, 1773. Her family had both French and Austrian origins.

What was Leopoldina Naudet's primary contribution?

Leopoldina Naudet is primarily known as the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Verona. She dedicated her life to the moral and civic education of girls, emphasizing religious values in their curriculum.

What religious order did Leopoldina Naudet belong to?

Leopoldina Naudet was a religious sister of the Congregation of Dilette of Jesus. She later founded the Sisters of the Holy Family of Verona.

When was Leopoldina Naudet beatified?

Leopoldina Naudet was beatified on April 29, 2017, in Verona. Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to her intercession in December 2016, paving the way for her beatification.

What is Leopoldina Naudet known for regarding education?

She was noted for her strong devotion to the education of girls, focusing her order's curriculum on moral and civic development alongside religious formation. Subjects like drawing and languages were also part of the education provided by her congregation.

When did Leopoldina Naudet die?

Leopoldina Naudet died on August 17, 1834, in Verona. Her final words were recorded as, "I want only what God wills!"