Saint Paul of the Cross came to Piombino, Italy, to give a retreat to the Poor Clares there in the year 1733. The impact of his preaching was tremendous, and the Sisters were led to great holiness  and religious observance. Mother Cherubina Bresciani was one of the nuns present for the spiritual exercises, and under St. Paul’s direction, she led her Community for many years. She later testified at his Beatification process.
“I desired that the standard of the holy faith be exalted, so that devotion and respect, homage and frequent adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the ineffable mystery of the most holy love of God, may be increased so that His most holy name may be glorified in a most special manner. The desire to die as a martyr, especially for the Blessed Sacrament in those places where they do not believe in It, never leaves me.”                              - Saint Paul of the Cross