Mother Maria Cristina Brando was born in Naples on May 1st, 1856 of wealthy parents, Giovanni Giuseppe and Maria Concetta Marrazzo. Her mother died few days after her birth. Possessing a gentle and docile nature, she received a fruitful and sound religious education within her family and, early on, showed clear signs of an inclination toward the prayer and celibacy and was accustomed to say repeatedly: "I must become saint; I want to be a saint." Approximately at the age of twelve, before the image the Child Jesus in the crèche, she professed a vow of perpetual chastity. When she perceived that she had a vocation to religious life, she tried to enter the Monastery of the Sacramentine Nuns in Naples, but she prevented from doing so by her father. However she did obtain his consent to be received as a candidate for the Poor Clare Nuns at their "Monastery of the Florentine." Nevertheless, because of illness was inhibited twice from entering and was forced to return her family for medical care. Following her recuperation, she received permission to enter the Monastery of the Sacramentine Nuns. In 1876 she was vested in the religious habit and took the name of Sister Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception. Here, too, she became ill and was forced to abandon the venture that she had undertaken with such great fervor. At this point she understood that the moment had arrived for her to dedicate her life to an Institute which to which she had always felt a calling. Therefore in 1878, while renting a room with the Theresian Sisters of Torre del Greco, she laid the foundation for a new religious family that currently bears the name: the Congregation of the Sisters Expiatory Victims of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (Oblation Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament). The new congregation grew quickly despite economic constraints and other obstacles, as well as the unstable health of the foundress herself. After residing in various places, the community settled in Casoria, not far from Naples. The new Institute encountered numerous, difficult situations, but in many ways it also experienced divine Providence and it enjoyed the help of many benefactors and clergy, most especially a priest, Fr. Domenico Maglione. The Institute grew with members and new houses and demonstrated great devotion to the Eucharist and diligent care for the education of young boys and girls. In 1897 the Blessed Maria Cristina professed temporary vows, and on July 20, 1903 the Congregation received canonical approbation from the Holy See. On November 2nd of the same year, the Foundress, together with 19 Sisters, professed perpetual vows. She walked the path of holiness with exactitude and generosity, and with the help of God's grace. she continually progressed in imitation of the Lord, in obedience to the Gospel and in Christian perfection. The Servant of God entered eternal life on January 20, 1906, to which, even as a young child, she had always aspired, and for which she had prepared herself so diligently. She was beatified on April 27, 2003

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