Maria Domitilla Hyams (née Rota)
Italian-born laywoman in South Africa who co-founded the LITTLE EDEN Society for people with intellectual disability
Who they were
Born at Albenza di Almenno San Bartolomeo near Bergamo, she married a South African in 1947, moved to South Africa and with her husband founded the LITTLE EDEN Society, which cares for children and adults with profound intellectual disability.
The miracles
No miracle has been approved. The cause is at its first stage.
Why that counted as sanctity
The archdiocese of Johannesburg announced the joint beatification cause of Domitilla Rota Hyams and her husband Daniel George Hyams on 11 February 2019 (santiebeati.it); the diocesan inquiry followed in 2021.
The cause
Maria Domitilla Hyams (née Rota) is named a Servant of God; the cause continues. Favours received, and offers of help, go to the postulation, the office that carries the cause forward: The cause of Maria Domitilla Hyams (née Rota).
Connected on this site
- Daniel George Hyams Servant of God“The archdiocese of Johannesburg announced the joint beatification cause of Domitilla Rota Hyams and her husband Daniel George Hyams on 11 February 2019 (santiebeati.it); the diocesan inquiry followed in 2021.” — this site's research
- The Hyams Cause - Servant of God: Maria 'Domitilla' Hyams nee Rota
- Servi di Dio Daniel George Hyams e Maria Domitilla Rota - Santi e Beati
Checked against the sources listed on 24 September 2026. Corrections welcome.