Leonella Sgorbati
Leonella Sgorbati, born Rosa Maria Sgorbati, was an Italian religious sister of the Consolata Missionaries who dedicated her life to missionary work in Kenya and Somalia. For over three decades, she focused on nursing and educating prospective nurses, also caring for children in a hospital. She was murdered in Somalia in 2006 and later beatified in 2018.
Key Facts
- ›Rosa Maria Sgorbati was born on December 9, 1940, in Gazzola, near Piacenza, Italy.
- ›She joined the Consolata Missionary Sisters on May 5, 1963, taking the religious name Leonella.
- ›Sister Leonella served in Kenya from 1970 to 1983, working at Consolata Hospital Mathari and Nazareth Hospital.
- ›In 2001, she began working in Mogadishu, Somalia, to establish a nursing school, which opened in 2002.
- ›She was murdered on September 17, 2006, outside the children's hospital in Mogadishu, reportedly in response to Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg lecture.
- ›Leonella Sgorbati was beatified on May 26, 2018, in Piacenza, Italy.
Major Works
- Established and managed the "Hermann Gmeiner School of Registered Community Nursing" in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Consolata Missionaries
Often Depicted With Her Cross.
About Leonella Sgorbati
Leonella Sgorbati, born Rosa Maria Sgorbati on December 9, 1940, was an Italian religious sister belonging to the Consolata Missionaries. She dedicated over three decades of her life to missionary service, primarily in Kenya and Somalia. Her work focused significantly on nursing, training future nurses, and providing care for children in a hospital setting.
Life and Mission
Born in Gazzola, near Piacenza, Italy, Rosa Maria Sgorbati later relocated to Milan with her family. She felt a strong calling to religious life and missionary work from a young age. In 1963, she joined the Consolata Missionary Sisters, adopting the religious name Leonella. After completing her nursing studies in England, she was sent to Kenya in 1970. Her service there included working at the Consolata Hospital Mathari and Nazareth Hospital, where she also served as a midwife.
In 2001, Sister Leonella began working in Mogadishu, Somalia, with the aim of establishing a nursing school. The "Hermann Gmeiner School of Registered Community Nursing" opened in 2002, with Sgorbati as its director. The school provided crucial education, as Somalia had lacked a functioning government since 1991, and the World Health Organization recognized its graduates.
Murder and Beatification
On September 17, 2006, Leonella Sgorbati was tragically murdered outside the children's hospital in Mogadishu. The attack occurred shortly after Pope Benedict XVI delivered his Regensburg lecture, and it is widely believed that her death was a response to the controversy surrounding the lecture. Her guard and driver were also killed in the incident. Sister Leonella's final words were reportedly, "I forgive; I forgive; I forgive."
Following her death, her remains were returned to Nairobi and later exhumed for canonical inspection. The process for her beatification began, and on November 8, 2017, Pope Francis confirmed that she had been killed in odium fidei ("in hatred of the faith"). Leonella Sgorbati was beatified on May 26, 2018, in Piacenza, Italy, recognized as a martyr for her faith and her dedication to serving others.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Leonella Sgorbati?
Leonella Sgorbati, born Rosa Maria Sgorbati, was an Italian religious sister of the Consolata Missionaries. She served as a missionary in Kenya and Somalia for over three decades, focusing on nursing and education.
When and where was Leonella Sgorbati born and when did she die?
She was born on December 9, 1940, in Gazzola, near Piacenza, Italy. She died on September 17, 2006, in Mogadishu, Somalia, where she was murdered.
What was Leonella Sgorbati's missionary work focused on?
Sister Leonella was primarily involved in nursing and educating prospective nurses. She also cared for children in a hospital and was instrumental in establishing a nursing school in Mogadishu.
Why was Leonella Sgorbati murdered?
Her murder on September 17, 2006, was believed to be in response to controversial comments made by Pope Benedict XVI in his Regensburg lecture. She was killed shortly after the lecture, and other humanitarian workers and Christian volunteers were also targeted around that time.
When was Leonella Sgorbati beatified?
Leonella Sgorbati was beatified on May 26, 2018, in Piacenza, Italy. Pope Francis confirmed in 2017 that she was killed in odium fidei, meaning 'in hatred of the faith'.
What is significant about Leonella Sgorbati's cross?
Her cross was transferred to the San Bartolomeo all'Isola church in Rome in 2008 and was later venerated by Pope Francis during his visit to the church in 2017. This signifies her recognition and veneration.
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