Elena Guerra was born into a wealthy, aristocratic family in
Lucca on 23 June 1835 as one of six children to Antonio Guerra and Faustina Franceschi. In her childhood she was known to be talented but timid in nature. Guerra made her
Confirmation on 5 June 1843. Guerra first worked with the
Vincentians, caring for the poor and the sick.
Cholera struck Lucca in 1853 and she tended to the ill after her parents granted her permission to do so. He followed this in 1902, with a letter to the bishops,
Ad fovendum in Christiano populo. Leo XIII granted Guerra a private audience on 18 October 1897 in which he encouraged her work and renamed her association. It was at some stage that she corresponded with
Arnold Janssen regarding a "militia of the Holy Spirit" that would be dedicated to working against the
Freemasons. In August 1906 the
Archbishop of Lucca told her that he would not permit her prospective religious to make their vows unless Guerra resigned as the congregation's leader. She did so after reflection, moreso in light of friction with some sisters regarding her leadership. The community finally received papal approval from
Pope Pius X on 6 March 1911. Pius X issued a pontifical decree of
coronation on 9 September 1904 to place a diadem of stars on the venerated image of the Blessed Virgin of the
Immaculate Conception enshrined at the community's monastery. Guerra died on 11 April 1914 (on
Holy Saturday). Her relics are kept in the church of Sant'Agostino in Lucca. The congregation continues its work with houses in nations such as
Iran and the
Philippines amongst others; in 2008 there were 232 members of the congregation in 36 houses across the globe. ==Beatification==