Giovanna Meneghini, a well-known person at Breganze, but not so much outside that village, was the humble woman who founded the Institute of the "Suore Orsoline del Sacro Cuore di Maria".

Giovanna was born at Bolzano Vicentino on 23 May 1868. Her parents' activity was sheep farming. When she was born they were going back to Grigno, their village, with their flock, which they had taken to the plane to winter. She spent her childhood in her parents' house - they were of modest conditions, but not poor - then her custody was granted to her aunt, who was married and lived at Breganze, where Giovanna spent the rest of her life.

When she was still young, she understood that her vocation was to devote herself to Christ. In 1890, when she knew about S. Angela Merici's proposal, thanks to the archpriest Monsignor Andrea Scotton, she was immediately fascinated, and after reflecting upon it and praying, she became a member of the Order with a group of friends. The Company of S. Orsola was thus created at Breganze, and was an association of   women devoted to God, who lived according to the model of domestic asceticism.

In 1898, she was called by the Scotton family and entered their firm. She became the director of the women's laboratory of sacred paraments, and also dealt with the shop and  the posting department of the periodical "Riscossa". These were delicate occupations, and were often difficult, due to her supervisors' nature. Nevertheless, this job enabled her to be close to both young women and the Church.

In 1904, together with a few companions, she succeeded at organising a small school to  teach an occupation to children and adolescents that were neglected.

Continuing her daily work and searching with prayers and meditation what her true vocation was, and also following Jesuit Franzini's advice, on 6 January 1907 she managed to found a small community close to her working place, by the good offices of local people.

Giovanna Meneghini intended to stick to the rule of S. Angela Merici, but because times had changed, she added community life and an apostolic aim to it, in order to promote  women and improve their conditions of life.

Giovanna Meneghini died on 2 March 1918, worn-out by a long illness.

Rather than remembering her as the founder of a congregation, we would like to remember this figure as a humble, though determined person, who took a real interest in improving the conditions of the women of her time. As well as in her tiring job, she did her utmost with self-denial in many initiatives, especially for the benefit of young girls, who were really neglected during those years.

Translation of a text written in Italian by the members of U3A Vicenza