Along with one of her faithful companions, Teresa Maule, she created the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. When she took her vows and became a Nun she selected Paulina of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus as her name. She was a dutiful worker, was often promoted, and eventually became a Superior General. She was known for aiding the elderly and former slaves, discarded because they had become too sick and old to perform any meaningful work. She moved on and worked for the sick and elderly at the Hospice of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Later in life she spent her time caring for the sick Sisters of her Congregation. Her health began to suffer and it was determined that she was experiencing the onset of diabetes. She remained steadfast and dedicated to the elderly throughout her life and after her death from diabetes in 1942, Paulina received the distinction of becoming the first Brazilian Citizen to be Canonized as a Saint. She is invoked for proper care to the elderly and is known as the Patroness of the diabetes.
Canonized: May 19, 2002, Rome, Italy by Pope John Paul II
[This Story is Dedicated to Mr. Douglas Robertson] © 2009
