Sister Maria Anastácia

Sister Maria Anastácia      ND 4187        ⇒ PDF Download
(formerly Irmã Maria Martinha)

Anastácia Slesarenco

Holy Cross Province, Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil

Date and Place Birth:   February 4, 1926    Boa Vista de Erechim, RS
Date and Place of Profession: February 12, 1948  Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil
Date and Place of Death:  August 17, 2015     Casa Betânia, Não Me Toque, RS
Date and Place of Funeral:  August 18, 2015   Resurrection Cemetery, Passo Fundo, RS

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of  heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him” Turning to the disciples in private he said: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Lk 10,21-24) 

This Word of God illuminates the life of Sister Maria Anastácia. God called his daugther Sr. M. Anastácia to eternal life unexpectedly in the evening of August 17, 2015, at the age of 89 years.

Anastácia was the daugther of Pedro Slesarenco and Maria Nikitenko, both of Russian nationality. The parentes were immigrants. When they embarked to come to Brasil they had one child, they lost one during their trip to Brasil, other five children, of whom Anastácia was the last one, were born in Brasil. They arrived in Brasil in 1914.

Anastácia began her novitiate in our Congregation on February 21, 1946. She made her first vows in Passo Fundo, February 12, 1948. She had completed the Elementary School. She participated in several renewal courses offered by CRB (National Conference of Religious) and other opportunities. She had a Certificate for Catechists from the Parish Church Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Passo Fundo.

Sister’s ministry was always in domestic services – kitchen, laundry, vegetable garden, and during the last years she helped in our house for elderly women – Obra Social Santa Júlia in Espumoso. She was very kind to everyone she met.

In her work she tried to unite life and spirituality. She was  appreciated by her co-sisters and lay people with whom she worked. During her last years she was very silent because she had problems with her eyes. She used to pray the rosary listen to TV N. Sra. Aparecida. She was a religious of prayer and silence.

In her religious life she celebrated the following Jubilees as a Sister of Notre Dame in the Province of the Holy Cross – Passo Fundo: Silver, Golden, Diamond, and the last one was her Iron Jubilee which she celebrated this year 2015. We thank Sr. Maria Anastácia for her example of simplicity, love and service during her long life.

May Sr. Maria Anastácia be the intercessor for all the needs of our Province, our Congregation and the Church. May our Good God give her the eternal rest and joy!

R.I.P.