On Monday 21 September 2026, Sr. Lauretana passed away and entered her eternal abode.
Sr. Lauretana, formerly known as Silvana Bersani, was born in Montiano (FC) on 27 April 1935 to Aurelio Bersani and Maria Bersani; her parents both had the same surname, but came from different families who were not related in any way.
She joined the Congregation at a very young age - she was only 17 - and made her first religious profession in 1955; three years later, in accordance with the custom of the time, she made her perpetual vows in 1958.
She completed her studies as a nursery school teacher. In the beginning, she worked in the communities of Massalombarda (RA) and Clusone (BG); then, in 1986, she was sent to the Philippines, where she remained until 2004.
With the support of the Filipino sisters, she started the educational ministry in Manila by opening a small nursery school, known as “DonCarlo Cavina School”. Over the years, the institution has gradually expanded to comprise elementary school, high school and senior high school. All these stages of education are officially recognised and, in the past, the school’s enrolment exceeded more than one thousand pupils.
Sr. Lauretana, however, has always devoted herself primarily to the poor families in that particular area of Manila, visiting them and organising a network of contacts with many Italian families willing to get involved in long-distance sponsorship of poor children, who have thus been given the opportunity to study and look forward to a better future.
In 2004, for health reasons, Sr. Lauretana returned to Italy and, after undergoing treatment, she was transferred to our retreat house in San Cerbone (LU), where she remained until 2025. She then was transferred to the Mother House in Lugo, from where she had originally set out on her mission. As the years went by, her health had become rather frail, but she had always been determined to carry on as long as she could. She regularly took part in all the activities of community life as long as she was able to. However, by the beginning of this September, her illness progressed rapidly and within twenty days, she passed away.
Sr. Lauretana was a refined and sensitive person, with a gentle nature and a very reserved disposition. Her natural shyness sometimes made it difficult for her to express her feelings freely, and this could, however, lead her to react rather roughly sometimes. However, she would soon regain her composure, revealing her kindliness and her sincere desire to get along harmoniously with those around her.
She has now gone to the Father’s house and, waiting for the day when we will all be reunited, she will surely pray for all of us and especially for her beloved Filipino communities.
Mother Mariarita Foli