Regina Protmann was born in 1552 in Braunsberg, which is now Braniewo, Poland, in a well off, pious family. She received a very good intellectual, moral, and religious education. She was baptized in the Santa Catherine Church, the saint patron of her town. Early on she learn to admire this saint and found out she had affinities with her: just like Saint Caherine, she was young, beautiful, courageous, and smart. She decided to follow the Saint's footsteps and devote her life to Jesus Christ. That was a time of socio-cultural upheaval in Europe. In the political-religious field, the Reformation was under way through armed unrest, dividing Christianity between Catholics and Protestants. The church calls the Trient Council and reacts with the Counter-Reformation.
Early in her youth, Regina was inclined to the material vanities and ambitions. Clever, smart, and intelligent, she liked to stand out and to be the chosen one among her friends. When the divine grace touched her heart, she felt the Lord's presence as a burning fire. This experience caused a great change in her ways. At the age of 19, she left the comfort of her parent's house, renounced marriage and, along with two other women went on to live in an abandoned house, to make a living of caring for the poor, praying, ascesis, loving her fellowmen, and living in poverty. For the consistency of her life of following Jesus Christs' footsteps, she irradiated a spiritual strength that attracted other young women. Regina also saw in Christ the MAN-GOD in love with the earthly and eternal happiness of all human beings. She also devoted herself to those in her town who suffered and were outcasts. She made a conscious option for the sick and the poor, for the abandoned girls who lacked education. Regina founded schools and, along with her coworkers, started to take care of the sick in their houses and hospitals. So, moved by the force of her beliefs, she founded a contemplative and active Congregation, which was unheard of at that time. Sister Regina put the new congregation under the protection of Saint Catherine, V. M., which was called Saint Catherine's Sisters. She passed out on January 18, 1613. Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Regina in Warsaw, on June 13, 1999.