Sr. M. Albina Quingostas
One morning, I was invited by the youngest sister of the Delegation, to meet her at 10 am! Ever since she said that she wanted to talk to me, I thought “what?” I immediately accepted and replied: “remember that I don’t like photographs“.
That morning was a very warm in Portugal, when this younger sister came to call me thinking that I did not remember our appointment (but I did remember!) I asked her: “Do I have to wear the blue dress? ” When she told me it was not necessary, she confused me even more! She made me sit where she generally sits in the apostolate and asked me the following question: “Sister, who are you? ” Ah, these young women! “Do you want to joke with me? ” She repeated the question and with great emotion I responded:
“My name is Sister Maria Albina. I am 88 years old, and I am Portuguese. I am from Minho, northern Portugal, in a very beautiful area that borders Spain. I am the eldest of the Portuguese sisters, but not the first Portuguese member of the Congregation! I lost my mum when I was 8 and dad when I was 15. I’m the fourth of five children and my family has always been very Catholic. When I was still very young, I went to live with a family who loved me very much. They were not easy times and I started working very early. At the age of 22 years, I entered the Congregation in Portugal. After the initial formation in Italy, I made my First Profession in 1959. I was destined for Brazil. I traveled on the ship “Conte Grande”, the same ship that Pope Pius XII had also traveled in when he was a Cardinal.
I arrived in Rio de Janeiro, after a long journey in which I was also well received by the captain. The chaplain gave me the responsibility of prayer during the days of navigation! I have good memories related to this trip that I made together with 12 other sisters. I was the only Pious Disciple and the smallest! The journey lasted three days from Italy to Portugal and eleven more or less from Portugal to Rio de Janeiro. When we arrived in Rio we were welcomed by the Daughters of Saint Paul.
At that time Sister Salvatoris was Mother Superior in Brazil. Later I went to São Paulo, in Via Bergueiro with the first 8 sisters, Mother Alessandrina and Sister Bruna. I was part of the third group that arrived in this land! I remained in this residence until Mother Lucia arrived At that time, she was touring Latin America with Sister Thecla Merlo of the daughters of St. Paul. After about four months, I was assigned to the Seminary of the Pauline Priests where I replaced Sister M. Modesta.
When Mother Bartolomea arrived from Portugal, with Sister M. Scolastica, the first Brazilian sister who had recently completed her novitiate. We then went to Caxias do Sul, where we opened the community in the Pauline Seminary in the district of San Ciro, now Via Giacomo Alberione. The following year we opened our first wooden house in Caxias do Sul!
These were difficult times, but I never lacked the enthusiasm to live my mission fully! I made my Perpetual Profession in São Paulo and after 9 years in Brazil I returned to Portugal. I have spent most of my life between the kitchen and the refectory in the homes of priests and in seminaries. In 1980 with Mother M. Giannina Baldissera and later Sister M. Fatima Nogueira who also joined us, we started a new reality in Porto. We opened the Liturgical Apostolate in Largo do Loios. Initially, it was very difficult. We adapted this dwelling and made it suitable for our living quarters until we found a house on the other side of the city.
I have not lived through simple times. Beginning new realities always brings with it new challenges. Despite this I have always served the Lord with fidelity. Now at the age of 88, I pray that I will be faithful to the end. God has always been good to me and I, with my strong character and a tenacity that has always characterized me, have tried to serve him as best I can where he called me to live.
I am an old woman now, but I continue to serve the Lord with joy and I will do so every day for as long as He desires! Between the birthday of the Congregation and my birthday, there are ten years difference. I am 10 years younger, and I am happy to be able to say “that I have seen her grow as she has seen me grow! “.