Ludovica Torelli

Countess Ludovica Torelli of Guastalla (* 1500 in Guastalla, † 1569 in Guastalla ) was the founder of religious women's associations.

Life

She was the daughter of the Italian Count of Guastalla and widowed at age 27 for the second time. 1529 she received spiritual direction of Battista da Crema. She worked with Antonio Maria Zaccaria, founder of the Barnabites, and founded the first convent of this Order, the " Angeliche ". 1538 they renounced under the assumed name " Paula " on their county and their castles and devoted himself to the task of bringing women closer to the religious life contact. Torelli founded in 1557 a school for young noblewomen in Milan, with the management, they entrusted the Jesuits.