HONG KONG (SE): Canossian Sister Maria Borella returned to the Lord in the early hours of June 12, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was 95-years-old.
Born in Italy on 2 February 1931, she joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Milan in 1953. In 1955, the congregation sent her to Hong Kong to continue her vocational formation. A year later, in 1956, Sister Borella made her first profession in Hong Kong and went on to make her perpetual vows in 1962.
Sister Borella was assigned to the ministry of education, serving for many years as both teacher and principal at Sacred Heart School, Macau. She also taught for over a decade at St. Mary’s Canossian College, Hong Kong.
She devoted herself wholly to God, making education her primary mission. In schools, she worked tirelessly—not only imparting knowledge, but also serving as a living example, shaping the character and faith of countless young people. She was a shining lamp who illuminated the paths of many. Living out the gospel, she led numerous students to know Jesus Christ with humility and charity.
After leaving her teaching post, Sister Borella did not retire. Instead, she accepted the congregation’s appointment as superior of Bethany Canossian Convent, dedicating herself to community affairs. In 2010, she moved to the congregation’s historical archives, assisting in the organisation of its documents.
In 2016, owing to age and frailty, she stepped back from her work and continued to serve God and neighbour through prayer and self-denial, entrusting all serenely to the providence of the Almighty.
In her later years, illness often left Sister Borella bedridden for long periods. She bore her suffering in silence, uniting herself with Christ Crucified and offering it as reparation for the salvation of souls.
In a press release, the Canossian Sisters said, “Her lifelong fidelity to God’s service commands our deepest respect. We pray that Sister Borella may enjoy eternal happiness in heaven, joining the saints in praising and glorifying God forever.”
A funeral Mass was celebrated on June 18, celebrated by Father Joseph Chan, vicar general, and concelebrated by Father Francisco De Las Heras. In his homily, Father Chan praised Sister Borella’s missionary spirit—her willingness to leave her homeland and cross the seas to bring the Good News to those who did not yet know the Lord.
He also commended her tireless dedication to education, which bore abundant fruit. Her remains were laid to rest at St Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley.
The Canossian Sisters ask everyone to continue praying for the repose of her soul.
