During the Nazi occupation of Rome, an Ursuline convent provided safety from persecution for over 100 Jews. On December 21, 2002, Mother Mary Xavier Marteau, mother superior of the convent, was proclaimed “Righteous Among the Nations” by the Yad Vashem Institute of Israel.

The protection that Mother Mary Xavier offered was far from unknown; the convent was placed under strict surveillance by the Fascist authorities in 1941. Finally, during the Nazi occupation of 1943-44, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Luigi Maglione, named the Ursuline house as a direct dependent of the Holy See to hinder the Nazi from inspections which could have uncovered refugees.

Maria Luisa della Seta and her sister Marcella, who along with 15 of their family members were among the 103 Jews saved, gave testimony to Mother Mary Xavier's benevolence. Maria wrote to Yad Vashem: "Mother Mary Xavier was our protector. She took care of my sister and me regardless of the expense. . . and gave us the courage to struggle for our survival and comforted us with the knowledge that we were among friends."

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