Short biography
Sofia Iaconis was born in Casino (today known as Castelsilano in southern Italy) on 18 November 1867. During her childhood, she fell seriously ill which led the family to decide to allow her to receive her First Communion at a younger age than usually prescribed. This act of faith helped her to recover her health, and so the design of Divine Providence took place in her. As an adolescent she entered the Institute of the Sisters of Charity, Daughters of the Immaculate, which had been founded by her aunt, Mother Maria Fabiano, and she chose the name of Maria Eufrasia. Following a request for women religious by the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires she was sent to Argentina in 1893.
From that time, in answer to the needs of the time, the Institute’s commitments and works began to multiply: assisting the sick, education for children and dedication to the poorest.
As these activities prospered in Argentina, serious difficulties threatened the continuation of the Institute in Italy to the point that a Decree signed on 31 January 1901, dissolved the Institute. However, the renewed efforts of Mother Eufrasia and her faith in the power of prayer, led to the organization of the new Congregation in 1904 under the Diocesan jurisdiction, with the support of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Mariano Antonio Espinosa.
In the following years, the religious family of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception continued to expand its work in Argentina, with the support of Father Vicente Gambón, SJ. Moreover, the Mother founded a Novitiate and a school in Milan.
In 1914, Mother Eufrasia’s health raised alarm. But she continued to work tirelessly to consolidate the Congregation which was, as she used to say: “the greatest and most sublime ideal of my life.”
On 2 August 1916, surrounded by her daughters, she returned to the House of the Father.
Among the many expressions of condolence, was the following one by Archbishop Espinosa:
“…when I heard about the loss of good Mother Eufrasia who loved me so much and whom I also greatly admired as she was a saintly religious who did much good for the benefit of her Congregation.”
Genealogy
Biographical Dates
1867 |
18/11 |
Born in Casino, Italy. Her parents were Luigi Antonio and Maria Antonia Spina. |
27/11 |
Baptized in “Maria Santissima Immacolata” parish with the names Maria Josefa Amalia Sofia. | |
1875 |
First Communion. | |
1886 |
16/7 |
Enters the Institute Sisters of Charity, Daughters of the Immaculate, with Mother Superior Maria Fabiano. |
1889 |
Takes her first vows, taking the name of Eufrasia. | |
1893 |
2/8 |
Departs for Argentina with seven companions to work in the Italian Hospital. |
6/9 |
Arrival in Buenos Aires on the “Sudamerica” steamer. | |
1894 |
20/9 |
Takes charge of the Italian Hospital of Santa Fe, Argentina. |
1896 |
1/3 |
Founds the first school in Buenos Aires: “Immaculate Conception”. |
24/7 |
Agrees to manage the Pirovano Hospital in Buenos Aires. | |
1898 |
Sends Sisters to the Hospital of Rosario, Argentina. She left it very soon to dedicate to work for the school. | |
1899 |
12/3 |
Takes charge of the “Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Nursery school of Concepción del Uruguay, in the Province of Entre Rios, Argentina. |
29/6 |
ends Sisters to the Casa Culla for the orphans of Córdoba, Argentina.. | |
1901 |
31/1 |
The Sisters of Charity, Daughters of the Immaculate Institute was dissolved. |
8/4 |
Leaves for Italy, recalled by Mother Maria Fabiano. She welcomes the Decree which permitted the Diocesan reorganization of the Institute. | |
1902 |
27/7 |
Inaugurates the school, “La Immacolata” of Rosario, Argentina. |
1903 |
8/3 |
Takes charge of the nursery school, “Our Lady of Guadalupe” in the city of Santa Fe, Argentina. |
13/7 |
Takes charge of the Administration and direction of a kindergarten in Córdoba, which she will later change to the “Our Lady of the Snow” school | |
1904 |
24/9 |
Founds a new religious family, “Daughters of the Divine Mother” with the support of Archbishop Mariano Antonio Espinosa of Buenos Aires. |
17/12 |
Pope Pius X grants the name “Daughters of the Immaculate Conception”. | |
1907 |
10/12 |
Buys land in the Villa Devoto neighbourhood, Buenos Aires.. |
1912 |
Founds a Novitiate in Milan, Italy. | |
1913 |
28/9 |
Inaugurates an Oratory in Milan, which will be the base of the future school of the “Immaculate Conception”. |
1915 |
2/3 |
Re-elected Superior General. |
13/6 |
The cornerstone of the “Sagrado Corazón” school was blessed, Córdoba, Argentina | |
1916 |
2/8 |
Dies in the Pirovano Hospital of Buenos Aires. |