Sister Maria Hilaria

Sister Maria Hilaria               ND 5175                     PDF Download

Hilaria Ottilia HENN

Holy Cross Province, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil

Date and Place of Birth:              December 30, 1936            Santa Cruz, RS
Date and Place of Profession:     February 11, 1958              Passo Fundo, RS
Date and Place of Death:            September 3, 2018             Não-Me-Toque, RS
Date and Place of Burial:             September 3, 2018             Passo Fundo, RS, Casa Santa Cruz

“Be on guard! You do not know when that time will come.” (Mk 13:33)

Sometimes we are surprised by God with the unexpected.  That is what happened with our dear Sister Maria Hilaria.  She had just been lovingly taken care of by our nurses at Casa Betania when very unexpectantly she opened her eyes, took a deep breath, closed her eyes and gently slipped away.

Sister was born on December 30, 1936, in Santa Cruz do Sul, RS to Guilherme Henn and Anna Rabuske Henn. The family was blessed to have 12 children, five girls and six boys.  Sister was baptized on February 8, 1937 and Confirmed by Bishop João Becker on March 7, 1937 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. Her first Communion was celebrated at the Parish of St. Charles Borromeo, in São Carlos.  Her family had moved to Sao Carlos in search for a better life. On February 25, 1955 Sister Hilaria entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame, in Passo Fundo, RS, and on February 10, 1956 she was invested with the religious habit. On February 11, 1958 she made her first vows in the presence of Canon John Hoffmann.

Sister M. Hilaria was an accountant and secretary most of her religious life. For 22 years, she worked as an accountant, especially for the hospitals in Espumoso and Não-Me-Toque. Sister also worked as treasurer and assisted in a pharmacy. Before taking up office work, she had been a skilled cook and gardener, growing healthy food for the sisters and collaborators. We all witnessed her love for vegetable gardens and we remember her JOY in taking care of vegetables, flowers, and plants. She really took care of God’s creation!

In addition to her professional training, she always dedicated special attention to her spiritual formation, often attending retreats in São Leopoldo. Sister knew how to balance her active life with her spiritual life.  Sister Hilaria as a quiet person who faithfully attended to her duties.  Work was sacred to her.

Sister M. Hilaria belonged to the Notre Dame Community in Passo Fundo and was only temporarily receiving health treatments at Casa Betania in Não-Me-Toque. It was very much expected that she would be returning to her home community.

In the year of her Diamond Jubilee and the 40^th anniversary of her mother’s death, God called her to the reward of eternal life.  Death is not the end!  Jesus said “Who believes in me has eternal life”.

May Sister M. Hilaria intercede for new and good vocations for the priesthood and religious life. We pray that she may have eternal rest and be rewarded for all the good she has done building the reign of God here on earth.