Sister Maria Selma ND 4430 PDF Download
Selma SCHWAAB
Our Lady Aparecida Province, Canoas, RS – Brazil
Date and Place of Birth: November 14, 1929 São Francisco de Paula, RS
Date and Place of Profession: February 10, 1949 Passo Fundo, RS
Date and Place of Death: October 18, 2025 Hospital Ernesto Dornelles, POA, RS
Date and Place of Burial: October 18, 2025 Convent Cemetery, Canoas, RS
“The generous will be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Prov 22:9)
This verse from the Scriptures beautifully reflects the life of Sister Maria Selma, who, throughout 76 years of religious life, devoted herself with humility and generosity to the service of God and her brothers and sisters.
Born in São Francisco de Paula (RS), a hilly region renowned for its natural beauty, serenity, and rich muleteer heritage, Selma was the seventh of eleven children of Jacob and Anna Schwaab. She grew up happy and healthy, surrounded by the affection and warmth of a large and loving family.
As the daughter of farmers, she learned early on the value of simple work and the joy of sharing. With her family, she drew sustenance from the land and recognized in every harvest the generous hand of God. In a profoundly Christian home, she absorbed the faith and values that would sustain her throughout her journey, values later deepened and enriched by the spirituality of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Throughout her journey, Sister Maria Selma faithfully dedicated herself to ministries in various locations across Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, serving in schools, hospitals and religious communities. She carried out her work primarily in the kitchen and in household tasks, ensuring that both the Sisters and the sick were always welcomed with nourishing meals, prepared with care and a spirit of selfless service. For many years, she also served as local superior, guiding the communities entrusted to her with serenity, firmness and a fraternal spirit.
Sister Maria Selma was a cheerful, sociable, and prayerful woman, deeply devoted to Our Lady. She participated actively in the liturgy and community life. Though she had little formal education, her apostolic heart found concrete expression in her visits to families, the sick, and friends, offering words of comfort, gestures of kindness, and the testimony of a living faith. She had a special gift for making friends and for listening. Attentive to the needs of others, she often surprised people with small, thoughtful gifts – simple yet meaningful expressions of her generous and caring heart.
In 2016, Sister Maria Selma moved to Recanto Aparecida, initially to receive health treatment. The following year, she joined the community permanently, living among the elderly Sisters. As long as her strength allowed, she continued to help with small tasks and to maintain an active yet discreet presence — always attentive, serene and kind.
As age and fragile health slowly weakened her, Sister Maria Selma endured a prolonged period of suffering. During this time, she was surrounded by the affection and devoted care of her community and the nursing team, who offered her both human and spiritual comfort.
On October 18, 2025, at 3:53 a.m., the final call sounded for Sister Maria Selma: “Come, blessed of my Father, enter into eternal rest and behold the face of God.” Today, with hearts full of gratitude and tenderness, we raise our praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for the precious gift of her life — her faithful dedication, her gentle service, and her silent yet eloquent witness of love.
We firmly believe that the Lord, whom she served with such generosity and joy, now welcomes her into the fullness of eternal life, together with Our Lady, whom she loved deeply and in whom she placed unwavering trust.
