First Indian elected to lead Maria Bambina sisters

By Jose Kavi

New Delhi, July 5, 2023: Sister Venita Fernandes has become the first Indian to head the Sisters of Charity of the Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa, an international Catholic religious congregation based in Italy.

Sister Fernandes, a native of Balli-Fatorpa in the western Indian state of Goa, was elected at the congregation’s 28th general chapter that was held May 8 to June 24 in Rome.

She succeeded Sister Annamaria Viganò, an Italian who led for six years the 191-year-old congregation, known also as the Sisters of Maria Bambina (Holy child Mary).

Pope Francis surprised the apex body of the congregation when he unexpectedly visited the chapter hall on June 19 as soon as he left the Polyclinic in Rome where had undergone a surgery.

“His ability to get close to us, even in a moment of such great physical fragility, moved us and made us feel the living presence of Jesus in our midst and the love of his Church,” says the congregation’s website.

The Pope invited the nuns to become mothers and sisters, by living in their spousal bond with Jesus. He also wants them to become courageous to live their calling, not waiting to have everything planned out on paper. He also reminded them that the Lord wants them close to the people, because it is the people who live and testify to them the faith.

The election process began May 29 with the outgoing superior general Sister Annamaria explaining to the participants the congregation’s Rule of Life and some criteria for discernment and Sister Fernandes was elected on the third day.

On June 3, the four general assistants were elected: Sister Maria Monica Moschen, Luisa Bonforte, Saly Painadath, and Maria Goretti Wichianniranat.

Sister Fernandes was born the eldest of five daughters of Minguel Fernandes and Ilda Borges.

She completed her education at St. Xavier’s High School in Velim and Maria Bambina Convent High School in Cuncolim. After her higher secondary education at Damodar College in Margao, she entered religious life with the Sisters of Charity.

Sister Fernandes completed her novitiate at Dharwar, pronounced her First Profession, and served at the congregation’s convent in Secunderabad.

She has served the congregation as the novice director, provincial councillor, and assistant superior general.

The congregation was founded in 1832 by Bartolomea Capitanio, a 26-year-old woman, who was involved in the struggles of the people of Lovere, her native town.

Bartolomea was helped in her project by Catherine Gerosa, a rich but pious woman of Lovere. They consecrated to God in a simple ceremony on November 21, 1832, at Casa Gaia. Bartolomea died July 26, 1833, eight months after founding the congregation. Catherine Gerosa led the congregation guided by Don Angelo Bosio.

The opened many provinces of Italy. They came to India in 1860, when Mother Theresa Bosio, the first superior general. sent four sisters to work in Bengal.