PAX – SISTER LEONIDIA MINATTO

PAX!

Renewing our faith in the risen Christ, in whom we place our certainty and hope, we announce with emotion and gratitude that on April 13, 2023, at 2.53 pm (local time), at the Holy House of Vinhedo – St. Paul (BRAZIL), the Groom Celeste welcomed in his arms.

SISTER LEONIDIA MINATTO

Province from Divine Providence

at the age of 98 and 78 of Religious Profession

Sr. Leonídia was born in Nova Veneza – Santa Catarina (Brazil), on May 21, 1924.

Leonídia, at the age of 19, expressed to her parents her desire to serve God in a religious institute. Her father took her to the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence in Nova Veneza – Santa Catarina, where she entered on June 25, 1943. She was received by the local Superior, Sr. Faustina Oldani. At the time she was Superior General Mother Giovanna Zonca.

Still in the same year she entered the Novitiate on 19 December, then receiving the name of Sr. Melania. Her novitiate teacher was Sr. Faustina Oldani.

Her Religious Profession took place on December 20, 1944, in the Chapel of the Holy Family Institute in Nova Veneza – Santa Catarina.

Sr. Leonídia, from the beginning of her religious life dedicated herself to the service of others.

She carried out her mission as a nursing technician in various hospitals with love, a strong sign of God’s merciful presence with the suffering. A very human and sensitive person, attentive and respectful, she treated everyone with delicacy and affection. She loved the Congregation with motherly love, especially the young women in formation, and encouraged them to courageously continue the journey they had begun.

She was a very prayerful person. He cultivated his inner life so that his charity was ever more authentic.

Here is the testimony of those who lived with Sr. Leonídia:

Sister Leonídia (Sister Melania as I affectionately called her or “LINDINHA”, and as we all knew her), was for me a great example of lo ve for God, of affection for children who loved them. In charge of tidying up the chapel of our community, she took care of everything with great zeal. She was delicate in welcoming the priests, she stayed with them to have coffee or a snack after the celebration of Holy Masses. She carried out her mission in the community to the end, as long as her strength and her abilities allowed it. She was prayerful, welcoming, delicate, organized, available (Sister Bárbara Cristina Ferreira Britto – Provincial superior).

I always remember her at the Santa Otília de Orleans hospital. May the Lord reward her for her dedication to the end! She was a beautiful witness for me (Sister Laurita Mendes).

Sr. Leonídia with her smile and kindness won many hearts. She gave herself selflessly in hospitals, in child care and pastoral care, passing through Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro. Everywhere, she has left the sign of love for God, for the Eucharist and a great trust in Divine Providence.

In recent years her health has weakened and she has recently been taken to Santa Casa de Vinhedo – St. Paul. On this day, in the Octave of Easter, at 2.53 pm (local time), April 13, 2023, Jesus, her Divine Spouse, took her with him forever.

May she watch over us from eternity and rest in the peace of the Lord.

To the relatives, nephews, especially her sister, Sister Pierina Minatto, our condolences and our gratitude for what she was and for what she did. God be the comfort of the family in this moment of pain and silence.

We praise the Lord for the gift of the life of Sr. Leonídia who testified with her life how beautiful it is to follow the Lord Jesus.

“‘Lindinha’ we miss you already!”

Her funeral will be celebrated this Friday, April 14, at 10, in the chapel of the Residencial Divina Providência in Vinhedo – St Paul, with Holy Mass. Her burial will take place at 2.30 pm at the Acácias, in Valinhos – St Paul Cemetery.

In communion of prayer, united with all the sisters of the Province of Divine Providence, with Sr. Pierina Minatto, with the Oblates, with family and friends, we entrust this Sister of ours into the arms of the Risen One.

“I feel deeply loved by God, our Provident Father, because she generously called me to religious life!”

(from the memory of 50 years of religious profession)

SHE RESTED IN THE PEACE OF THE LORD!

 Sister Maria das Dores Paz – General secretary