November 23, 2025 - "Saint Maria Troncatti, FMA"

In 1922, she was assigned to work among the remote Shuar Indians in Ecuador. Shortly after she arrived in Ecuador a tribal chief insisted that she heal his daughter who had been shot in a local conflict.  The chief told Sister Maria that if she failed to heal his daughter, he would kill her.  Fortunately, she was able to treat the wound and nurse the chief’s daughter back to health. In doing this, Sister Maria won the gratitude of her new flock.  This was not the end of her ordeals or dangers in the Amazon.  When asked how she could continue her work, she replied, “A look at the crucifix gives me life and wings to work.” In time she became beloved by the Shuar people, for whom she served as a catechist and evangelist—as well as a doctor and nurse.  She also defended them against the invasions of white settlers.

 

After she had served more than forty years in the Amazon, her family and friends back in Brescia urged her to return to Italy—at least for a visit.  She declined the invitation by writing that her age made travel difficult, telling them, “Every day I am happier with my missionary religious vocation.” She died in a plane crash on August 25, 1969.

 

Sister Maria was beatified on November 24, 2012, in Coliseo La Loma, Macas, Morona-Santiago, Ecuador by Cardinal Angelo Amato.  She was canonized on October 19, 2025, in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City by Pope Leo XIV.

 

One of her favorite sayings was the following: “The Lord does not leave us without signs of the sun among the clouds and storms that sometimes surround us.”

 

Until next week,

Fr. John