Home · Saints · St. Maria Troncatti
Portrait of St. Maria Troncatti
A portrait of St. Maria Troncatti

St. Maria Troncatti

1883 – 1969
Feast
August 24 · XX c.
Patron of
Missionaries · Nurses · Indigenous peoples of Ecuador
Order
Religious / Salesian / Missionary

Italian Salesian Sister (1883-1969), Red Cross nurse in WWI, missionary to the Shuar people of the Ecuadorean Amazon for forty-four years; renowned as nurse, midwife, and dentist of the rainforest. Killed in a plane crash in 1969. Beatified 2012 by Benedict XVI; canonization announced 2025.

Life & Times

Born: 1883 · Died: 1969 · From: Italy / Ecuador.

Patronage

St. Maria Troncatti is invoked as the patron of missionaries, nurses, indigenous peoples of ecuador. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.

Shop St. Maria Troncatti Products

Devotional items honoring St. Maria Troncatti, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.

About Catholic Saints

Catholic saints, including St. Maria Troncatti, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.