Ana Petra Pérez Florido (1845–1906), also known as Petra of Saint Joseph, was a Spanish nun and the founder of the Congregation of the Mothers of the Helpless and St. Joseph of the Mountain. Born in the small village of Valle de Abdalajís in Málaga, Spain, she grew up in a devout Catholic family that instilled in her a strong faith and a deep sense of compassion for the poor and marginalized. From a young age, Ana Petra demonstrated a keen desire to serve others, often sacrificing her own comfort to care for those in need. Her spiritual life was profoundly shaped by her devotion to the Virgin Mary and a fervent desire to imitate Christ in her everyday actions.

Ana Petra's calling to religious life led her to enter the convent, where she fully embraced a life of prayer and charity. However, she soon recognized a pressing need for a congregation dedicated to the care of the helpless, especially orphans, the elderly, and the poor. Guided by her faith and a vision of providing a home for those abandoned by society, she founded the Congregation of the Mothers of the Helpless in 1880 in Málaga. The congregation expanded rapidly, gaining recognition for its commitment to sheltering the vulnerable and providing them with education, spiritual guidance, and love. Ana Petra also established a devotion to St. Joseph of the Mountain, emphasizing the importance of humility, hard work, and trust in divine providence.

Until her death in 1906, Ana Petra Pérez Florido devoted her life to expanding the congregation and ensuring its spiritual and operational foundation. Her legacy lives on in the work of the Mothers of the Helpless, which continues to serve the marginalized in various parts of the world. Ana Petra was beatified by John Paul II in 1994.