Amongst Sister Maria Anna's former pupils was Giuditta Alghisi Montini, mother of Pope Paul VI. She had been educated at the school of Via Quadronno from 1883 until 1890 and had Sister Maria Anna Sala as a teacher in her final years.
These providential circumstances forged a spiritual link between a Pope and a humble teaching nun, and show how important a part a truly Christian education plays in God's design for His Church.