AFOUNDER arid four founddresses of religious societies of women and a layman have been the objects of study for possible beatification by the Sacred Congreaation of Rites.
The causes for beatification of Father John Steeb, a secular priest of Germany. and Casimiro Morello, an obscure Italian layman, were introduced by the congregation after a meeting of its members recently.
In the same meeting, reports were made by theologians on the writings of Sisters Anna Eugenia Piceo, Emilia di San C3iuseppe, Teresa Grillo Michel and Alfonsa Maria Eppinger. all foundresses of religious societies.
Father Steele, born in Tubingen. Germany, in 1773, of Lutheran parents, went to Italy at the age of 19 and was converted to Catholicism at Verona. He was ordained in 1796. After a career in parish work he founded the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona in 1840. He died in Verona in 1856.
Morello was born in Cavagnoli in 1857. He passed a normal youth but after surviving a near fatal illness he devoted the remainder of his short life to works of charity. He roved through Spain. France and Italy as a pilgrim, and died at Aloj, Spain, in 1884, at the age of 27.
Foundresses
Sister Anna Eugenia Picco was born at Crescenzago. Italy, in 1867. At the age of 20 she founded the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Marv. She died at Parma, Italy in 1921„
Sister Emilia di San Gitiacppe was born at Caracas. Venezuela. in 1858. In 1888 she founded the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Maiquetia. She died in 1893.
Sister Teresa Grillo Michel was horn at Spinetta Marengo. Italy, in 1858. She married a colonel in the Italian army in 11387. but was widowed shortly afterwards. In 1893 she founded the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Divine Providence. She died in 1944.
Sister Alfonsa Maria Eppinger was born at Viederbroo in Alsace in 1814. She founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Divine Saviour in 1849 and it rapidly grew in France. Spain and Austria. She died at Slrasbourg in 1867.