Maria Merkert

Maria Luise Merkert (21 September 1817 in Neisse, Prussia - 14 November 1872 in Neisse) was a German Roman Catholic professed religious and the co-foundress of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth. Merkert worked to help those in need including the poor and ill and tended to them with her older sister until her sudden death and the death of her other companions - this left Merkert alone to found and maintain her order as its first Superior General from 1859 until her death.

Merkert's beatification was celebrated under Pope Benedict XVI in Poland on 30 September 2007 with Cardinal José Saraiva Martins presiding over the celebration on the pope's behalf.