Teresa Merlo was born in Castagnito (Piedmont), Italy, on February 20, 1894 to Hector Merlo and Vincenza Rolando. She was the second of four children. On June 27,1915, she met Fr. James Alberione for the first time in the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian and accepted his invitation to remain in Alba and collaborate witli his work. It was the beginning of her "adventure" as a future Daughter of St. Paul.
On July 22, 1922, she made her private perpetual religious profession and took the name "Thecla." At that time, Fr. Alberione appointed her Superior General of the first small band of young women and thus the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul carne into being. In March 1936, she made the first of many trips around the world to visit her Daughters, scattered on the various continents.
In Ariccia, on June 28,1961, Feast of the Blessed Trinity, she offered her life in order that all the Daughters of St. Paul might become saints. She died in the Queen of Apostles Clinic, Albano (Rome) on February 5, 1964.
On January 22,1991, she was proclaimed "Venerable."
Anyone who receives graces and favors through the intercession of Venerable Thecla Merlo is asked to send this information to the:
Superior General of the Daughters of St. Paul
via San Giovanni Eudes, 00163 Roma
ITALIA