A brave nun drowned while trying to rescue three fellow nuns who had fallen into the sea
Nadir Santos da Silva reportedly didn’t know how to swim.
The group were walking along the beach on Monday (11 May).
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According to local media, the women may have stepped into a dip in the sand, causing three of them to fall into the water, where they were pulled out to sea by strong waves and currents.
It is believed that none of the four knew how to swim.
Seeing her companions in difficulty, 45-year-old Nadir reportedly jumped into the choppy waters in an attempt to save them.
While the three women managed to resurface and make it back to shore in Catania, Italy, Sister Nadir lost consciousness after swallowing water.
She drowned shortly afterwards and was brought back to shore, as reported by Need To Know.
The survivors were left in severe shock.
One was taken to hospital, though her condition is not life-threatening.
Sister Nadir, originally from Brazil, joined the Carmelite Sisters, Messengers of the Holy Spirit – a congregation founded in Brazil and now also present in Italy – in 1999.
She discovered her vocation through a youth group and went on to pursue a life in religious service.
At the time of the tragedy, she was serving at the Carmelite convent of San Giovanni La Punta.
She had previously worked in other parts of Italy and in France.
Her funeral will take place in San Giovanni La Punta tomorrow (14 May).
The Parish of Saint John the Baptist in San Giovanni La Punta said in a statement: “We thank God for the gift of her life, for her presence among us, and for her dedication to the Institute, to the Church, and to the mission of cooperating in the salvation of souls.”
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