Fernanda Riva was born in Monza (Italy), on 17th April 1920. Just 3 months later, her father died, soon after the death of her 9-year old sister Erminia. Her mother, a woman of robust faith and deep piety, brought up her children according to the teaching of the Gospel. Fernanda, who was still a teenager, clearly heard the call to the missions. She made the choice to enter the Canossian Institute. On 19th March 1939 she entered the Missionary novitiate in Vimercate. In the course of a few months, she won the respect and love of all the Sisters for her wisdom and goodness. But it was her deep interior life that attracted them. She always had a ready smile and her eyes radiated kindness and intelligence.

While still a postulant, she left for India on 18th October 1939 and arrived in Bombay on 1st November. She completed her Novitiate and studies in Belgaum. God’s call was special for her, and special was her answer: She dedicated her own life to the poor, in the school and apostolic activities.

The school in Mahim and the University in Alleppey were the fields of both her teaching and apostolic work. As a true Daughter of St. Magdalene of Canossa, she was a zealous educator of the heart keeping alive the fire of charity, creating a harmonious union between the “contemplative and active life”. Fernanda was still young, but she was quite ready for the great encounter. She died praying, with a smile on her lips, on 22nd January 1956. On June 28, 2012, she was declared by the church as Venerable for her heroic virtues.

We invite you to pray with trust and perseverance so that through the intercession of Ven. Fernanda Riva, we may obtain graces and favors through her intercession and for her journey to Canonization. If you know of any grace received please notify us in the contact details in this web.