Raffaella Colella

Deceased Sisters

Raffaella Colella - Italy
25/01/1934 - 11/12/2018

Sister Maria Raffaella was born in Pratola Peligna, in the province of L'Aquila, on January 25, 1934. Her baptismal name was Agata and she was the third of four siblings born to Raffaele Colella and Leonilde Di Cesare.

She was a niece of Father Di Cesare sm and it was from him she learned how to follow Mary in the Marist life and was drawn to the Congregation of Mary.

Still very young in 1950, she left for France to begin her Marist formation. She made her first profession in 1954 and then was transferred to the Community of S. Leù with the job of assistant cook.

During her long life as a Marist religious, she served in many places, leaving her mark everywhere; even today, the people we meet remember her discreet, silent presence, so attentive to the needs of others.

In 1960 she returned to Italy to the Community of Castiglione with the commitment of a house-keeper at the service of the Marist Fathers.

Later she spent a year in Anzio from 1961 to 1962 and in Via Aurelia from 1969 to 1973, and again - for a year or two - in the 1990s, and at other times, in the various Communities of Piedmont and Veneto.

She never had prestigious assignments but always made herself available in all that was asked of her. With love and dedication in the last few years, from 2000 until her death, she offered her service to the Caritas of Treviso (S. Angelo), assisting the poor and suffering and, in a particular way, she reached out to the young single mothers helping them to overcome their difficult moments.

Her presence in the Community of Treviso was appreciated, also her work as Bursar.

Sr. Maria Raffaella's illness was sudden and unexpected. In the short period of admission to the Treviso Hospital, the doctors in charge from the first moment had diagnosed the severity of her illness and therefore continued assistance was necessary.

Her family members, despite living far away, have visited Sr. M. Raffaella, repeatedly thanking the sisters for their assistance.

On December 14, 2018 at 10.00 am in the Parish Church of Santa Maria del Rovere in Treviso her funeral was celebrated, before her burial in the cemetery of Ponzano Veneto alongside other Marist Sisters.

Sr. Maria Raffaella lived an ordinary life, yet one that was rich and fruitful in the Spirit.

We thank Sr. Maria Raffaella for the witness of her life.

Deceased Sisters

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