1950 Documented Theca with Relics of St. Bartolomea Capitanio & St. Vincenza Gerosa, Founders of the Sisters of Charity of Lovere

Ornate oval glass-fronted white-metal reliquary theca housing first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of Saint Bartolomea Capitanio and Saint Vincenza Gerosa. The relics are affixed to a red silk ground embellished with gold-colored wire ornamentation and sequins, and identified in Latin on typeset cedula labels as Santa B. Capitanio and Santa V. Gerosa (Saint Bartolomea Capitanio and Saint Vincenza Gerosa). On the back, the theca is secured with red threads and a seal of red wax with an imprint of the Discalced Order of the Most Holy Trinity, commonly known as the Trinitarians. The relics are accompanied by a matching authentics document issuedby Father Augustinus a Virgine of the Trinitarian Order, Postulator of the Cause of Canonization of the two saints. The document bears his signature and the official stamp of the postulation, specifies both relics as ex ossibus, and is dated May 19, 1950, the day following their canonization.

Saint Bartolomea Capitanio (†1833) was an Italian teacher and religious foundress devoted to educating girls and caring for the sick and poor. In 1832, she established the Sisters of Charity at Lovere with Vincenza Gerosa, laying the foundation for the congregation commonly known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina. She died only months after its foundation. Pope Pius XI beatified her on May 30, 1926, and Pope Pius XII canonized her on May 18, 1950. Her feast day is July 26.

Saint Vincenza Gerosa (†1847), born Caterina Gerosa, was an Italian religious foundress whose charitable work supported the sick, the poor, and the education of girls. Together with Bartolomea Capitanio, she founded the Sisters of Charity of Lovere in 1832. Following Bartolomea’s early death, she guided the congregation’s development and expansion. Pope Pius XI beatified her on May 7, 1933, and Pope Pius XII canonized her alongside Bartolomea on May 18, 1950. Her feast day is June 28.