Sister Leonella Sgorbati | The last word: “forgiveness”
In the wake of Missionary Martyrs’ Day on March 24, today we tell you about Sister Leonella Sgorbati
Sister Leonella Sgorbati, a missionary of the Consolata Missionary Sisters, was born on December 9, 1940, in Rezzanello di Gazzola, in the province of Piacenza, Italy. From a young age, she felt a profound calling to dedicate her life to serving others, joining the religious institute of the Consolata Missionary Sisters in 1963. After completing nursing studies in England, she departed for Kenya in 1970, where she served in various hospitals and nursing schools. In 1993, she was elected regional superior of the Consolata Missionary Sisters in Kenya, a position she held for six years.
In 2001, Sister Leonella moved to Somalia to establish a nursing school at the S.O.S. Kinderdorf International hospital in Mogadishu. Despite the challenges and dangers associated with the unstable political situation, she worked tirelessly to train local healthcare staff, emphasizing the importance of interreligious dialogue and demonstrating that scientific education was not in conflict with the Islamic faith. Her dedication and spirit of mercy earned her the respect of the local community.
On September 17, 2006, while on her way to the hospital, Sister Leonella was tragically killed by two gunmen. Her last words were an act of profound mercy: “Perdono” (“I forgive”). This gesture reflected her life dedicated to love and service, embodying true Christian spirit. In 2017, the Church recognized her martyrdom, highlighting the heroism of her faith and missionary commitment.
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