Born on September 5, 1845, in Castellamare di Stabia, the former Constanze Starace was dedicated to the Sorrowful Mother shortly after her birth.She became a tertiary of the Servants of Mary in 1867. She taught catechism and directed the Daughters of Mary, an association of young women desiring to lead a devout life in the world. Four of these women also professed vows as tertiary Servants of Mary, and they formed a small community. Several outbreaks of cholera lead her to form the Compassionist Sisters in 1869. In 1893, the Compassionist Sisters were formally joined to the Order of Servants of Mary. St. Mary Magdalene of the Passion died of pneumonia on December 13, 1921. She was beatified on April 15, 2007.