EUROPE/ITALY - Recognized the heroic virtues of Luisa Guidotti Mistrali, killed in former Rhodesia

Saturday, 17 December 2022

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to publish the decree concerning the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, Luisa Guidotti Mistrali, consecrated laywoman of the Women's Medical Missions Association, born on May 17, 1932 in Parma and killed on July 6, 1979 in Mutoko (Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe).
Luisa Guidotti Mistrali was born in Parma and moved to Modena with the family at the death of her mother. After high school she enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine. These are the "preconciliar years - writes Luisa - the era in which there was awareness of the role of the laity in the Church". And again: "I wanted to go on a mission as a doctor, to go forever, being a lay among the laity".
In 1960 Luisa asked to be part of the Association Women Doctor Missionaries and in August 1966 she went to former Rhodesia, with destination Chirundu, Paul VI Hospital. Because of local events she was forced to return to Italy for a few months. She then left for Africa again, her first destination was Regina Coeli Mission hospital and then the All Souls mission.
On July 6, 1979 while she was accompanying a pregnant woman at risk to Nyadiri, Luisa 's car was hit by a barrage of gunfire. She was transported to the government hospital in Mutoko, but unfortunately she was already dead. In 1983, the All Souls hospital was dedicated to Luisa Guidotti Mistrali. On 23 October 1988 at the behest of the Archbishop of Modena, her remains were transferred to the Cathedral of Modena. The process of canonization was opened in 1996. On November 23, 2013, the diocesan phase concluded in the church of San Domenico, of which she was a parishioner. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 17/12/2022)


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