Rome (Italy). As part of the itinerary for the Canonization of Sister Maria Troncatti (19 October 2025), developed by the Historical Spiritual Liturgical Commission to better know her figure, proposed that on the 25th of each month in memory of her birth to heaven on 25 November 2025, that the 9th video would present the testimony of Sister Carla Restelli, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, missionary of Sacred Heart Province (ECU) that highlights her Marian dimension.
Sister Carla met Sister Maria Troncatti (1883-1969) when she was already elderly. Here is her first memory. “Her eyes radiated so much light and peace. She had the rosary in her hand, slowly moving the beads. I remember that a beautiful smile painted her face and illuminated it with so much goodness.”
Like the Saint, Sister Carla is also a nurse, so she desired to know the hospital in Sucúa, which she had built. Sister Maria accompanied her and Sister Carla was struck by the confidence and familiarity with which the patients turned to her to express the joys and difficulties they were going through. “She had a simple way of advising, consoling, and they received light and hope to continue moving forward in life.”
Both from the dialogue with her, and from the testimonies of the Sisters of her community, I understood from where she drew that Light and that strength, which she did not keep to herself. “She was the first to arrive at the church in the early morning and, only with the kerosene light of the tabernacle, she filled her heart with Eucharistic Love, to then give it as a gift to those who approached her in the hospital, to the Sisters, to the people, to the missionaries.
She had great love for Our Lady. She held the rosary in her hand, and as she walked slowly due to her age, her mind turned to those who trusted in her intercession, confident of finding help, comfort, and courage. She did not pray alone. In the evening, in the hospital room of the sick, she prayed the Rosary with them and they sang praises to Our Lady.”
Shortly after her death, Sister Carla received the obedience to go to Pius XII hospital in Sucúa. “Her memory was very fresh in the people. I absorbed her missionary spirit of humility, sacrifice, and giving to the sick of body and soul. She loved everyone; she made no distinction of race or social rank.”
From her testimony emerges Sister Maria’s great closeness to those in need, which she had manifested in the most concrete aspects, but above all, the fact that she was “invoked, remembered by the people as a special missionary sister, saint, worthy of being invoked in times of great need.”
Sister Carla also recounts a surgery she witnessed as an anesthetist, which truly seemed like a desperate case, and which was instead successfully resolved thanks to the prayers of the patient’s sister, who had known her, and another missionary in front of the statue of the Madonna, asking for Sister Maria’s intercession. “Humanly speaking, she could not have had these results, but faith, combined with intercession, moved the will of the Lord.”
The memories of her are still alive and today she expresses gratitude to be able to pay homage to a Saint. “How can we not remember the figure of Sister Maria, a woman walking slowly, her deep gaze, her attractive laugh. She manifested a burning faith. I am happy to pay tribute to this missionary of ours and I admire her. I joined with affection to this authentic Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, for her piety, humility, kindness, and Salesian cheerfulness. Certainly, in the Salesian garden where she is in heaven, she will not stop listening and protecting those who call upon her in faith. Therefore, thank you Sister Maria!”
