PAX – SISTER GERTRUDES ALANO

PAX!

Renewing our faith in the Risen Christ, in whom we have placed our certainty and hope, we announce with emotion, but with gratitude, that on March 22, 2024, at 11:40 am (local time), at the Santa Casa de Vinhedo (São Paulo) BRAZIL, the heavenly Groom has taken in his arms,

SISTER GERTRUDES ALANO

Province of Divine Providence

at the age of 94 and 70 years of Religious Profession

Sr. Gertrudes (Francisca Dalila) she was born in Treze de Maio (Santa Catarina) Brazil, on November 7, 1929. Francisca lived in the city of Jaguaruna (Santa Catarina), where she met Sr. Giustina Rocha, Benedictine of Divine Providence. From this contact, she decided to consecrate herself to the Lord (Sr. Giustina, still young, died a short time later).

She entered the Congregation on February 9, 1952 in Nova Veneza (Santa Catarina). She was received by Sr. Beniamina Carbone, then local Superior.

In the following year, 1953, in a solemn ceremony, presided over by Father Amilcar Gabriel, she entered the novitiate and received the name Gertrudes. Her teacher was Sr. Beniamina Carbone. On January 9, 1954, she made her Religious Profession in the San Marco Church of Nova Veneza / Santa Catarina.

Sr. Gertrudes, at the beginning of her Religious Life, carried out her mission in Criciúma, in the ancient nursery school, today, Saint Benedict College. At the time she also collaborated with Sr. Bernardete Zanellato in the children’s choir of the Duomo Saint Joseph, now the Cathedral.  I, Maria da Dores, in my adolescence, participated in this choral group and admired the Sisters who sang together with the girls (Sr. Lydia and Sr. Gertrudes). It was beautiful to see how the nuns cheerfully helped Sr. Bernadete. Sr. Gertrudes also took care, with great commitment, of the altar of the Cathedral. There were always some little girls around who helped her. We praise God for the good accomplished with gratitude.

Determined and demanding person at the same time. She liked to be silent and alone. She is a woman of faith and trust in Providence. Cozy and captivating. She knew how to make many friends and had a smile on her face. She was very generous. Sr. Gertrudes was a person who dedicated herself to the health and care sector. She is very hardworking and dedicated. She spared no effort to do her best.

She carried out her mission in various communities of the Congregation, especially in colleges and retirement homes, assisting the poor and elderly. She lived in Laguna and Nova Veneza (Santa Catarina), Três Pontas and Campos Gerais (Minas Gerais), Osasco (São Paulo). She also held the position of local Superior.

Lately her health had been deteriorating. The Provincial Superior, Sister Barbara communicates to the Communities:

Dear sisters, we inform everyone that the clinical conditions of our Sister Gertrudes have worsened and she is in very poor condition. She has been hospitalized in Santa Casa de Vinhedo (São Paulo) since Sunday (10/03/2024) and is very weak, she cannot even be intubated. The doctor called Sister Joceli to inform her that our nun could die at any moment.  She’s in a hospital room, with oxygen, a feeding tube, a bladder catheter. Her treatment is only palliative. There is nothing else to do because she no longer responds. She is accompanied and looked after as much as possible. Let us pray for our Sister Gertrude, in this delicate moment, and that God, in her infinite mercy, will do for her what he wants. (Sr. Bárbara Cristina Ferreira Britto, provincial Superior)

Sister Gertrudes, 94 years old, full of life and desire to live, suffered the consequences of a stroke, thus beginning a painful ordeal until today, March 22, when in broad daylight, the eternal light enveloped her and carried her forever with Jesus.

Let’s give the floor to those who knew her and lived with her in recent years:

Dear Sister Gertrude, you were a special and sui generis person. Nice and serious, nice and angry, welcoming and often indifferent… above all, you have always been truly who you are.  May God welcome you into her Kingdom, into her loving and merciful arms. May you let yourself be loved infinitely by LOVE. Rest in peace! Feel at peace. May you feel loved and forgiven, welcomed and consoled, in the Heart of Jesus, whom you have tried to serve during your 70 years of consecrated religious life. Grant, Lord, eternal rest and perpetual light. Rest in peace. Amen! (Sister Bárbara Cristina Ferreira)

Life is a mystery and at the same time the love of God within us is revealed in our daily lives.  Dear Sister Gertrude, after going through your trial with so much suffering, you have arrived at Easter and are with the One you loved in life. Personally, I felt great affection for you. The few times I went to see you I remember when we talked and laughed together. Our prayers!  Rest in peace. (Sr. Mirian Celeste Jeronimo)

Goodbye, Sister Gertrudes… God has his ways and they are very different from ours. Sister Gertrudes, you loved to say that you wanted to leave this world quickly and without ‘annoying’ others… despite these moments of impatience, you lived your trial according to God’s plans. You flew to Heaven and we hope that with the same determination that you spoke, ask God for us… Dear Sister Gertrudes, I will miss your phone calls very much… My prayers… Live happily with Jesus!  May God’s mercy embrace you with tenderness. (Sr. Ana Maria Gomes da Costa)

Dear sisters, we join in prayer with the entire Congregation which mourns the departure of Sister Gertrudes. This too she fought the good fight and she fought to the end. Now, New Life lives in God with the Risen Christ. (Sister Narcisa Maria Pasetto)

Sr. Gertrudes, intercede for us together with the group of our dear sisters in Heaven. Go in peace!

The funeral will be celebrated on March 23, at 9 am, in the Chapel of the Residencial Divine Providence in Vinhedo (São Paulo).

In communion of prayer with all the Sisters of the Province of Divine Providence, with the Oblates, family and friends, we hand over our Sister, Gertrudes to the Lord, the much loved Groom.

“You are my hope, Lord God, my security since my youth. I have leaned on You since my birth.”

(memory of the 50th year of the Religious Profession)

REST IN PEACE OF THE LORD!

Sister Maria das Dores Paz – General Secretary