Sister Maria Antonieta ND 4829 PDF Download
Catharina BOLZAN
Nossa Senhora Aparecida Province, Canoas, RS – Brazil
Date and Place of Birth: December 07, 1932 Caçapava do Sul, RS
Date and Place of Profession: February 12, 1953 Passo Fundo, RS
Date and Place of Death: January 05, 2018 Recanto Aparecida, Canoas, RS
Date and Place of Burial: January 06, 2018 Convent Cemetery, Canoas, RS
“You are my Lord; you are my only good”. Psalm 16:2
Sister Maria Antonieta concluded her mission in this world at 4:30 p.m. on January 5, 2018. Her trustfulness in God´s goodness and His mercy leads us to pray with the Psalmist: “I say to the LORD, you are my Lord, you are my only good”. Psalm 16:2
Catharina was born in Caçapava do Sul on December 7, 1932. She is the 12th of 16 children born to Luiz and Amábile Bolzan, a family who had their source of livelihood in farming.
Still young, on February 13, 1951, Catharina entered the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Passo Fundo, and received the name Sister Maria Antonieta. In the early years of her consecrated life, she ministered at the São Francisco de Paula Seminary in Pelotas. In 1958, after perpetual vows, she was transferred to the Mother House, in Rome, to join the group of adoration Sisters and to assist in household chores, a ministry that was very dear to her. She returned to Brazil in December 1974, integrating into the community of the Provincial House, Canoas. In the following years, she ministered at Santa Teresinha School, Taquara; Sagrada Família School, Rolante and Maria Rainha School, Júlio de Castilhos. After returning to the Provincial House in 1978, she decided she wanted to experience Monastic Life with the Carmelites at Carmelo Nossa Senhora do Carmo in Porto Alegre, remaining with them from June 1978 to April 1982.
After returning to the Province, she lived in diverse communities: the Bording School and Externato São José, Ivorá; Laranjal, Pelotas and Rainha da Paz Residence, São Lourenço do Sul. Since 2014, she lived in the community of Recanto Aparecida, Canoas, for health treatment, where she stayed until her departure to the Father´s home.
Sister Maria Antonieta was a great devotee to Our Lady. Praying the rosary was part of her spirituality. She was diligent in prayer, both individually and with the community. She treasured the Eucharistic celebration and had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She had a great apostolic zeal. In São Lourenço do Sul, in the Rainha da Paz Community, despite her poor health condition, she reached out to visit families, sick people at home and in the hospital, and participated in family prayer groups. She was highly appreciated in these pastoral activities.
When living at Recanto Aparecida community, with her strength weakened and no longer being able to continue her usual visits to families, whenever she found an open door, she would go out unnoticed and find the path to the Provincial House where she enjoyed a delicious coffee. Sometimes, she set out on other walks that left the Sisters and employees anxiously searching for her. When she was found, she willingly returned to the community. Her sense of humor made her to be loved by the Sisters and employees. When asked a question, she often had a funny answer.
Sister Maria Antonieta loved the Congregation and the Province and tried to integrate the Notre Dame Charism and Spirituality through a life of simplicity and goodness. She anticipated her Iron Jubilee, that would have been celebrated on January 13, 2018, to celebrate it in the eternal embrace of the good and provident God whom she loved so much in this world. May the Lord grant her rest and eternal light.
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