Sr. Fernanda Riva
Canossian Daughters of Charity · Declared Venerable 2012
Early Life
Sr. Fernanda Riva lived a life rooted in love and selfless service. Her deep love for the Crucified Jesus guided her thoughts, words and deeds.
Fernanda was born on April 17, 1920, in the parish of San Biagio, Monza, Italy. She was the fourth and youngest child. Fernanda was barely three months old when her father died at the early age of 33.
Fernanda was a model student at school — intelligent, modest, sensitive and gentle in her ways. As a teenager, she attended the Oratorio of the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Via San Martino. She excelled in catechism, throwball and drama. She was always neatly dressed, never used bad or unkind language and had the greatest respect for her teachers.
She succeeded brilliantly in her studies and though she would have liked to pursue higher studies at the University, she had to work as a clerk in a dry goods store due to the financial straits of her family. She worked cheerfully, helping her widowed mother bring up the other children.
A Life Consecrated
Fernanda felt the Lord calling her while in the Cathedral of Monza, when she witnessed some missionaries accepting the charge of taking the Gospel to distant lands. She was struck by this selfless act and the joy of receiving the symbolic crucifix. She confessed her intention of becoming a nun to her mother, who gave her consent.
Fernanda entered the Missionary Institute of the Canossian Sisters in Vimercate, Milan, on March 19, 1939. Seeing that she had a balanced personality and was prepared spiritually, she was sent only seven months later to India, where she continued her novitiate in Belgaum. She was an exemplary novice in the fulfilment of her duties, especially in the practice of obedience, charity and humility. After completing her religious education, she took her vows on December 24, 1941.
Headmistress, Mahim
Sr. Fernanda was appointed Headmistress in 1951 of Canossa High School, Mahim, Mumbai, with nearly 2,000 students on rolls. She was very successful in promoting the growth of the school in all its activities, uniting the staff and students, and obtaining obedience from all — through her loving ways rather than using her authority as Headmistress.
Sr. Fernanda was thereafter transferred to St. Joseph's Convent, Allepey, Kerala, where the Canossian Sisters had been asked to begin a College for Women. She supervised the construction of the college and became its first Principal in June 1954. She was much loved and appreciated by all who met her — giving everyone individual attention and through her sweet ways uniting them all into one big family.
Teachers, students, parents and even officials in the education department had the deepest respect for her on account of her affable nature and dedication. Despite her many gifts, she was never proud. All were impressed by her great humility, talent of reaching out, openness to listen and readiness to learn from others.
"Though she suffered illness, not a word of complaint escaped her lips. She remained calm, serene, prayerful and concerned only for others — whispering to those gathered, Everything is done. I am ready to go."
— Sr. Fernanda Riva · 1920–1956
Proclaimed Venerable
She was only 35 years of age when she passed away in the early hours of January 22, 1956, and was buried in St. Michael's Church cemetery, Mahim. The cause for her canonization was formally introduced on August 13, 1994.
After years of careful examination of her life and virtues, she was proclaimed Venerable by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on June 28, 2012 — a significant milestone on the path to sainthood.