Fr. Theodosius Florentini was a capuchin priest from Switzerland who lived at the time of the industrial revolution in Europe. He was a zealous defender of faith, an eminent educationist, a social reformer, a friend of the poor and working class. Her was a man of vision 100 years ahead of his time. His alert mind and quick perception combined with a compassionate heart enabled him to understand the problems of his times, namely exploitation, poverty, injustice and unrest among the people. His answer to all these problems was education.
He recognized the role of woman in the society and in the family. Therefore he ventured to start a congregation of women which would fit everywhere. Thus the congregation of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy cross was founded in 1856 at Ingenbhol, in Switzerland by Fr. Theodosius florentini and Founders Mother Maria Theresa Sherer. Both of them had boundless trust in God and had great courage to take risks and an active love for God and for the poor. Dynamism, Humanism and confidence in God are the outstanding equalities that characterizes lour Founders.
