By Nirmala Carvalho
Mumbai, Oct 20, 2021: Louisa Abreo has crossed 100, but age has not diminished the widow’s enthusiasm to pray for the Church and the Pope.
“Now I cannot do much but pray for the Church and the Holy Father,” Abreo told Matters India on October 20, a day after she celebrated her 100 birthday in a home for the elderly managed by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Bengaluru, southern India.
The birthday celebrations included a Thanksgiving Mass offered by her nephew, Redemptorist provincial Father Ivel Mendanh, in the old age home chapel, and a fellowship meal with the residents of the home, the sisters and the Redemptorist priests as well as a few friends and wellwishers.
She thanks God for letting her live for 100 years, which she says has been a “time of fruitfulness.
“We all need faith in these challenging times and must never give up believing that God is with us and cares for us. This has been my experience all through my life. My Jesus never abandons me,” she said with confidence.
She attends the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, pray the rosary and the Psalms. “I also pray for all those who ask for my prayers. I know Jesus answers my prayers.”
She says her joy is to make others happy and her prayers cheer them up. “I encourage people especially those with me here in the home. I miss people visiting me due to Covid but i understand that. I can still pray for them.”
But praying for the Pope is her main mission.
“I love Pope Francis, his words touch my heart and he speaks directly to me through his talks. I love his simplicity of life and humility. I pray for all bishops to have these qualities.”
Abreo’s priest nephew says she is well aware of the Church and lay participation, and the Synodal process inaugurated by Cardinal Gracias in Mumbai and dioceses across the world.
She told him that she would pray daily one rosary for Pope Francis and the synod and for Cardinal Gracias. “I will offer my pain and suffering for the Holy Father Pope Francis and for the success of the synod,” the priest recalled her saying.
Father Mendanh said his aunt had worked with a travel firm in London for 55 years and traveling the world was her joy.
She was born in Asagao in Goa in her father’s home, the Athaide Home. She went to London after her marriage, the nephew said.
She returned to India and settled in Mumbai’s Juhu and gave “faithful, loving and devoted to the service of the Church.”
Abreo was a leader of the Small Christian Community in her area and did the pastors fund collection.
She is a professional ball room dancer and had danced until she was 90, the nephew recalled.
She lived alone after her husband passed away. Until 97, she took care of herself.
Her children – a son and a daughter – live in Goa with their families.
Abreo was confined to her bed following a paralytic stroke after a fall in bathroom in December 2020.
“I then moved her to Bangalore and she is with the Little Sisters of the Poor. She is extremely prayerful and has a powerful faith,” Father Mendanh told Matters India.
According to him, his aunt has been “very independent” all her life and “a steadfast witness of faith in challenging times and in personal crisis.”
She used to donate money regularly to orphanages, including the one managed by the Little Sisters of the Poor. She had also helped different charitable organizations and funded the seminary training of the Redemptorists.