As a result of smallpox, Sanna was for the most part disabled and further ailments prevented her from returning to her hometown after departing on a pilgrimage; this forced her to take up residence in Rome where she later died.

Elisabetta Sanna Porcu was born on 23 April 1788 as the second of five children to poor farmers of harsh economic conditions; a brother was Antonio Luigi.

Pinna taught Sanna the importance of frequent rosaries as well as Eucharistic adoration and both proper treatment and love of the poor.

Despite being in a strong household of fundamental Christian values she learned the importance of loving Jesus Christ while at school despite the fact that she remained illiterate during her entire life.

On one particular occasion Sanna dazed into a crucifix and heard a voice: "Take courage and love me"; she realized that she had a personal mission to profess the message of the Gospel in the spirit of evangelization.

The two decided to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and as a result Sanna had to entrust her children to her mother and her brother Antonio Luigi; she also sought the help of her niece and neighbours.

[2] Sanna and Valle departed from Porto Torres to Genoa at the end of June 1830 where the pair waited for over a week for a ship to Cyprus.

Pallotti continued to serve as her spiritual director for almost two decades and he held her in considerable esteem realizing her to be a true agent of God.

The cause was formally opened on 22 April 1880 under Pope Leo XIII; this conferred upon Sanna the title Servant of God.

[citation needed] The postulation then submitted the Positio to officials for further investigation in 1997 and the cause was moved at once to its historical commission on 22 April 1997 as is the case with older causes.

[citation needed] The miracle in question concerned a Brazilian girl in 2008 who contracted an aggressive arm tumor and was cured of it as a result of the intercession of Sanna.