Sr. Maria de Céu was born in Portugal 90 years ago. She has lived in the Vatican for 70 years, serving the Church and a total of seven popes.
She is a Franciscan missionary of Mary and recounts how she found her vocation when she was very young.
SR. MARÍA DO CÉU PEREIRA
Franciscan Missionary of Mary
“I was attracted to this life, maybe unconsciously, because I was still young. I would go to the altar of the Virgin and say, 'Blessed Mother, make me white like this wall,' the wall where her image was. That's how I started to feel an attraction not to married life, although there was a boy chasing after me.”
She made her first vows in Rome and began a life of service for Peter's successor. She has lived through seven pontificates.
SR. MARÍA DO CÉU PEREIRA
Franciscan Missionary of Mary
“I thought: I'm happy to be here. Not everyone has the opportunity to come to Rome and see the pope.”
She helped the pope with small but important tasks, like washing clothes, in the case of Pius XII.
She says being close to seven popes has been a blessing. She still remembers her first time visiting St. Peter's Basilica.
SR. MARÍA DO CÉU PEREIRA
Franciscan Missionary of Mary
“I was completely moved, seeing all those people, already, in that time. Seeing the pope, who was an extraordinary figure. He was so mystical, Pope Pius XII. It looked like the skies were opened.”
She has learned great life lessons from each pope. She even extended an invitation to Pope Francis last year.
SR. MARÍA DO CÉU PEREIRA
Franciscan Missionary of Mary
“I told him I am Portuguese, that I'd been in the Vatican for such a long time. I told him, Holy Father, come visit us one day, we're two steps away. Then he put his hand on my head.”
Although the pope didn't go visit her, he helped her celebrate her 90th birthday with a Mass.
That's nine decades serving her community and the Vatican and doing catechesis. She defines her whole life with one phrase.
SR. MARÍA DO CÉU PEREIRA
Franciscan Missionary of Mary
“A life given to others. If we don't give ourselves to others, what's the purpose of living? The Lord always comes first.”
Sr. Maria is confident her self-giving can benefit many people and inspire new generations to live a true vocation of service. That's this 90-year-old's secret to happiness.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi Translation: Claudia Torres
