Sr. Rosamaria Guida, SFP
April 20, 1940 – May 7, 2024
Sr. Rosamaria Guida, whose baptismal name was Angela, was born on April 20, 1940, in Alessandria della Rocca, in the province of Agrigento (Sicily), to parents Giuseppe and Rosalia. She had two sisters, Ninetta and Maria, and a brother, Giorgio.
She entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor on September 29, 1956, professed her First Vows on July 16, 1958, and professed her Perpetual Vows on August 10, 1963.
During her temporary profession, she studied to receive her primary school teaching certificate, and at the Pontifical University Antonianum she received a diploma in apostolic and pastoral formation.
In 1964, and for the next 20 years, she employed her best energy in teaching preschool: first in Milano, then in Vermicino, in our school of Cuore Immacolato di Maria, which we had at that time, and in the last nine years in Oliveri in the province of Messina.
She had a special love for the little ones she took care of because she knew how to make herself a child, playing and joking with them.
In 1985 she returned to Casa Schervier in Frascati and dedicated herself to parish activities. After two years, the superiors posed an important request to her: to transfer to the United States to assist her companion from the Novitiate, Sr. Luigia Giussani, who was seriously ill.
Sr. Rosamaria remained by her side for nine years, giving of herself with generosity and dedication. After Sr. Luigia’s death, the U.S. Sisters asked her to remain to take care of them and the elderly people of Mt. Alverno, and she joyfully answered this new call.
She was always a joyful woman, capable of hiding difficulties behind a smile or a joke to give lightness to those experiencing loneliness and the trials of illness. She loved to dress up in a fun way to make people happy and share her lightheartedness. In 2012 she returned to the Casa San Francesco Community in Rome. It was difficult for her to leave the people and her service in the United States, to which she had dedicated 25 years of her life, but she put herself back into God’s hands and uttered this new “yes” with joy.
In 2015 she suffered a very serious accident that left her disabled and she was moved to the Pio X nursing home, where she was lovingly taken care of. She received the gift of Sr. Clara, with whom she shared all these years.
Sr. Rosamaria was faithful to prayer, to which she dedicated time, often rising early in the morning to pray. She had an unconditional love for the Virgin Mary, to whom she entrusted all the Congregation’s intentions and the needs of poor and suffering humanity: she used to counsel to the younger women that a day could not pass without reciting at least one Hail Mary, even a “crumpled” one, as she loved saying.
She was attentive to her sisters and never missed the opportunity to make her presence felt through a birthday note or a telephone call, even at 5 a.m., to assure us of her prayer and closeness when we Italian Sisters were making our professions.
When we asked ourselves what of God’s word was especially dear to her, we had no doubt because we all remember her constant refrain: “God’s mercy endures forever,” from the psalm we prayed together.
Thank you, Sr. Rosamaria, because you firmly believed in God’s mercy and testified to it to all of us with your life. You lived as a true Franciscan Sister of the Poor. May Mother Frances welcome you into her embrace in Heaven.
The following are some testimonials from relatives and friends who remember with affection Sr. Rosamaria Guida:
My sisters and I were in Rome to accompany our aunt, Sr. Rosamaria, on her final earthly journey.
She lived her last years as a complete offering to God, giving her suffering for the good of poor and suffering Humanity, whom she served her whole life.
For the three of us, she was a super-special aunt, a super-traveler, and super-present in our lives like a force of nature.
She was a true witness to Franciscan life, which she embraced at 14 years old in the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor.
We are certain that her memory will live on thanks to the smiles she gave, thanks to her words of comfort, thanks to the happiness she spread, thanks to her numerous expressions of joy, and thanks to the infinite letters she sent to make her presence felt even from far away.
Goodbye, aunt.
Ivana Guida, Alessandria della Rocca, Italy
I always remember her with love. Rest in peace, dear friend. You were always close to me in the difficult times as well as in the good ones Your letters and our meetings in Italy and Canada were beautiful…
I will always carry your smile and your affection in my heart along with your humanity toward others.
Fausta Di Liberto Di Gerlando, Toronto, Canada
I cannot but remember her affectionately 🧡. And with the many letters we exchanged, either once in a while or sometimes more regularly. You finally reached the Eternal Love, dear Sr. Rosamaria. Thank you for the goodness that you taught us.
Sr. Alessandra Panepinto, Collegio di Maria, Raffadali
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of Sr. Rosamaria. 😢 Sr. Rosamaria had a profound impact on many lives and her memory will remain for a long time thanks to her smiles and the hearts she touched. We will miss her! May her soul rest in peace.
Enza Belluccia Hunt, Tampa, Florida USA
She was a second mother to me when I was little, and I remember her with great affection.
There is no more beautiful memory than your presence in our childhood. You were and will always remain our “dear little Sister at preschool.” In my heart forever,
Tindara Iarrera, Italy
I am from Oliveri, and I grew up with Sr. Rosamaria in my life. I remember it like it was yesterday… the childhood that my friends and I spent with her and with the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, beginning from nursery school. The games, the prayers, and the plays are all indelible memories as are the parish meetings, the catechism, movies at the parish, the month of May when we used to go gather clams at the Marinello lakes that we then all ate together in that beautiful little house they used to have behind the preschool. What a wonderful childhood we had! Thank you, Rosamaria, for everything. We felt your absence so much when you left for the U.S., but you always remained in our hearts.
Alessio Costanzo, Oliveri, Italy
If I had to use a word to remember Sr. Rosa Maria, it would be complete dedication. She comprehensively embraced her mission. When she was there, our parish was alive. I remember the plays. I remember Sunday school and the walks to the castle. I remember the retreat the day before communion. She made us experience the sacrament with true joy in our hearts and the emotion of receiving Jesus. How many children she took also care of outside of preschool hours! For us, Sr. Rosa Maria was a guide and will always remain alive in our hearts because she was part of our growth. Rest in peace. May the angels and saints welcome you in heaven.
Carmelina Barresi, Olivieri
