Sister Renaria_websitee

Our Global Salvatorian Community: Sister Renária Bezerra de Silva, SDS

During 2023 Catholic Sisters Week, we’re shining a light on the international members of our General Administration, or Generalate, in Rome. Over the week, we’ll share the answers of our seven Team Members to questions about their call to religious life and what it means to belong to the international Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Savior.

Prior to her current position as one of the General Councilors, Sister Renária Bezerra de Silva, SDS served the São Paulo-Brazil Province through her ministries in youth outreach, vocation promotion, and leadership. Now, she serves her international congregation of more than 1,000 sisters ministering in 26 countries on five continents.

1) How did you come to know the Sisters of the Divine Savior and decide to enter?
I came to know the Salvatorian Sisters in 1994. At that time, I was only 16 years old, and I was already working as a secretary in the Parish of the Salvatorian Fathers.

The SDS-Sisters used to come from Fortaleza, capital of the state of Ceará, to do vocation promotion in Barbalha, my hometown in the northeast of Brazil.

After 2 years of vocational accompaniment, on August 15, 1996, I entered religious life with the Salvatorian Sisters.

2) What was your ministry prior to serving in international Leadership?
I was on the leadership team of the São Paulo-Brazil Province for the second consecutive year. I had the role of Provincial secretary, and I also did vocation promotion and youth ministry.

3) What is your most memorable experience as a Salvatorian Sister?
I can say that it was my first community and apostolic experience after my first vows.

I was sent together with Sisters Jeane Lacerda and Lucia Tooda to start a new parish apostolate in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo. We started everything from scratch. Each day, little by little, we visited people to learn their needs and wants for new parish ministries and ecclesial communities.

4) Why is international collaboration important to the Sisters of the Divine Savior?
International collaboration allows us to know, value, and learn in diversity and interculturality, and to strengthen our Salvatorian Mission.

Salvatorian Sentiments

Birthday Goodness and Kindness: Sister Mary Jo

Making known the goodness and kindness of Jesus, our Savior, is vital to our mission as Sisters of ...
Read More

Birthday Goodness and Kindness: Sister Sheila

Making known the goodness and kindness of Jesus, our Savior, is vital to our mission as Sisters of ...
Read More