PAX – SISTER CEZIRA ZANETTE

PAX!

Renewing our faith in Risen Christ, in which we have placed our certainty and hope, we communicate with sorrow, but with gratitude, that on 18 March 2024, at 21:50, (local time), at the Support Hospital of Zilda Arns (Hospital for the Elderly) of Curitiba (Parana) BRAZIL, Jesus Christ the groom has welcomed into his arms,

SISTER CEZIRA ZANETTE

Province Mother of Divine Providence

at the age of 86 and 65 of Religious Profession

Sr. Cezira Zanette, was born in Criciúma (Santa Catarina) Brazil, 27 September 1937. Cezira, was accompanying her father to the nuns of Nova Veneza to give the products of his work in the countryside. Being in contact with Sisters, Cezira felt the desire to give herself to Christ, as her sister Sr. Ana Zanette, Benedictine of the Divine Providence. At the age of 16, 1953, she made entry to Congregation to Nova Veneza (Santa Catarina). She was received by Sr. Beniamina Carbone, by then, the local Superior.

On January 08, 1958, at the presence of Cardinal of Rio de Janeiro, Mons. Jaime de Barros Câmara, made the entrance to the novitiate and in honor of Cardinal, she received the name of Sr. Jaimina. At the time, the Superior General was, Mother Giovanna Zonca. Her Mistress of the Novitiate was Sr. Beniamina Carbone. She made the Religious Profession on January 09, 1959, in the chapel of the Sagrada Familia of Nova Veneza (Santa Catarina).

Sr. Cezira, since the beginning of her religious life tried to do everything with love, even if it meant sacrifices. Prayerful person, loved to work and obedient to the needs of the Congregation, with dignity and competence in her mission as a teacher, educational coordinator, mistress for postulants and aspirants forming, collaborating in the formation of novices, without forgetting her great commitment to vocational pastoral.

She wrote to the Provincial Superior:

“I realize that God wants me, I, and Index and unable to perform his work and to manifest his providence, especially to the youngest and humble. That I follow him, who confide in him, because if he calls me, he also gives me his grace. That I’m not afraid to abandon me among the arms of the fades.”

Sr. Cezira was free and available. In 1983 she wrote to the Provincial Superior:

“Date the availability of our Congregation to serve the Church of Christ and our charism, even in the African continent, I am available if you need my service. […] aware of the risks I will have to face, I trust in the divine providence in any region or country being called.” (09/03/1983).

Sr. Cezira, in 1987, was pioneer in the opening of the mission in Bolivia. With strong missionary spirit, ready to live poverty, austerity and sacrifice, giving it with all the heart to that mission among the poor. Sometimes returned to Brazil to receive spiritual and physical reinforcement. She returned to the mission even though her health was fragile, but with hope she continued with her mission, always tireless and happy.

Yes, Sr. Cezira had a life of great sacrifices and a strong devotion to founders, her vocations and belonging to the Congregation. When she was about to visit a vocation, she was not savings efforts.

Well, we give the word to those who known it more closely and had with close contact, especially in recent times:

The Lord is my shepherd… I guide you for your life! Good morning, dear Sisters, here we are accompanied by Sr. Cezira in her pilgrimage towards eternity. This evening she worsened considerably. At this moment, Sr. Luciana and I are with her here at the hospital and she is sleeping deeply. Doctors have warned that she is already getting treatment uninterruptedly to make her feel more comfortable. We continue to pray for sister. We stay united in prayer with the Mendes family, at this time of pain and suffering. There may be our Founders to fill our hearts with hope and confidence in these difficult times we are going through!  (Sister Maria José Barbosa dos Santos, Provincial Superior).

God who welcomes her beloved bride and our dear sister, in her eternal rest and make her eternal light for her. Her life was always marked by love for Our Founders, for the congregation, vocations, for form and with orphans. Her life of prayer and sacrifice are the strong tracks that mark her membership between us. We have another saint in the sky! Rest in peace dear sister! (Sr. Ledi Helena Bernart)

Our congregation once again is mourning, now due to the start of Sister Cezira. But it is also a moment of thanking this sister who has lived her vocation, her religious consecration, with so much love and generosity. There is a testimony of so much poverty, so much donation, so much prayer, so much availability at the service, so much love for the poor and the little, of the order for the vocational animation service, of so much dedication to the gentle missions, a strong sense of membership of the Congregation… and I would have so many other things to say, that Sister Cezira has lived with mid-minded, with many virtues. I’m sure now in heaven with God with our lady, with our beloved founders will continue her mission. Cezira, you will have peace… from the heaven pour on us the blessings and thanks. Dear Cezira, thank you for your testimony of holiness among us. (Sr. Narcisa Maria Pasetto)

Sr. Cezira was my teacher in postulancy. I confirm everything that was written of her, we tried every day, Tatuquara, Curitiba, during the year we lived with her. Rest in God you have so served! (Sr. Odir Teresinha Lopes de Brito)

Sister Cezira left for her Father’s house. May God bless her. She was a great example. May God have her with you. Give him, Lord, eternal rest. And the perpetual light illuminates it. Rest in Peace. Amen. A nun who lived the Charisma in an exceptional way. A person of much Prayer. From heaven she will intercede to God for the entire Congregation. (Sr. Jussara Dias)

Your testimony of loyalty. Love and dedication is a light for all of us and for young, calls to consecrated religious life. (Mother Lina Maria Girotto)

Sr. Cezira has always been very dedicated to everything she did. Her life will remain among us. (Sr. Janaina Clara Nazario)

Dear Sisters, today, party in heaven. With San Giuseppe and the arrival of Sr. Cezira, while, with us, a significant absence, remains her testimony of a consecrated, faithful, missionary, available, fraternal and enthusiastic in vocational work. Gratitude to the Provident God and to Sr. Cezira. Intercede for us as you’ve always done! (Sr. Agenora Thomasi)

Our mission in Bolivia we thank Sr. Cezira, her donation to the mission from the moment she opened the first home until her last day here, was a total donation to this Bolivian people. We are very grateful for everything she did for our Bolivian mission. She, had so much confidence in St. Joseph she went to celebrate with him in paradise. Rest in peace, dear Sister Cezira. (Sr. Luzia Francisco dos Santos)

Sr. Cezira leaves the inter-provincial novitiate the light of the fidelity, determination, audacity and consistency, praise God for a great gift. “Novices, what a beautiful testimony! We already miss your presence among us!”

The body will be transferred to Nova Veneza (Santa Catarina) with arrival time scheduled at 17:00 March 19th. The funerals will be celebrated on March 20, at 8 o’clock, in the chapel of the Sagrada Família Institute, to Nova Veneza-SC, with a fundamental and then burial in the city’s municipal cemetery.

To all the sisters of the Province Mother of Divine Providence, the Oblates, family and friends, we offer our sister in St. Joseph hands that ports from Jesus.

“For you, Jesus. All hours. Oh, I’m happy to suffer for you! Because my only joy on earth is to have a joy to be able to offer you.”

(memory de its Profession Religious)

REST IN PEACE OF CHRIST!

Sister Maria das Dores Paz – general Secretary