Maria Teresa Merlo

Maria Teresa Merlo (20 February 1894 — 5 February 1964), religious name Tecla, was an Italian religious sister and the co-founder of the Daughters of Saint Paul that she established alongside Giacomo Alberione. Merlo was an indefatigable writer and traveller as she penned articles for her order and made visits across the world to communities that were established in nations such as the United States of America and Australia.

Pope John Paul II conferred the title of a venerable upon her in 1991 after confirming that she had lived a life of heroic virtue.