Brazil – America | Project #3 of 72

The context in which Sister Lizia worked after arriving in Brazil was marked by crime, so it was not easy to carry out social enterprise activities that could generate a small profit, even if it was to be reinvested in activities and goods intended to help the community’s poor. Sister Lizia tried to develop candle production, but sales were limited for the reasons already mentioned. During the final months of 2023, Sister Lizia was transferred to a new Brazilian community. Candle production in Itanhaém is continuing thanks to the commitment of the sisters trained by Sister Lizia, who continues her work of promoting the Works of Mercy.

Sister Lizia is a member of the Congregation of the Daughters of Saint Francis de Sales and lived for some time in the community at San Cerbone (LU), where she began the HIC SUM project training at the Arciconfraternita di Misericordia di Lucca.

At the end of her training in Italy, she was transferred to Brazil in 2022, specifically to the Casa “Don Carlo Cavina” in Itanhaém, where she launched “Pane di Misericordia”, although the serious Covid situation in Brazil delayed its start.

Itanhaém is a municipality in the Baixada Santista metropolitan region in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is the second-oldest city in Brazil.

The Casa “Don Carlo Cavina” was built on land donated by a benefactor in the poorest outskirts of the area, in keeping with the wishes of the founder of the congregation, Carlo Cavina.

The facility opened in 2014, and the community of sisters, together with volunteers and collaborators, works with children and the most disadvantaged families, passing on true values, mutual respect, opportunities for living together more harmoniously, education to shape their character and an understanding of rights and duties.

The children go to school in the morning, while in the afternoon they stay with the sisters and take part in dance, English courses, computer studies and organised games.

During major celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, the children prepare to perform music and plays. On these occasions, the local volunteers organise fundraisers to buy gifts — such as toys, clothes and sandals — and basic food baskets — a kit containing rice, beans, tuna, pasta and oil — to give to the children and families in need.

Find out more Sister Lizia among the people of Brazil with the Works of Mercy For the love of Christ along the paths of the world Saint Francis de Sales inspired many congregations to embrace mercy