Sister Attilia Mazzina

Born in Italy, raised on a farm overlooking Lake Como and bordered by the Italian Alps, Sister Attilia Mazzina never imagined she would spend most of her adult life in Brooklyn, New York.

Although World War II and its aftermath had ravaged Europe, S. Attilia, her two sisters, and her brother had a happy childhood gathering eggs from chickens, helping plant crops, and living close to nature. Her father was in the army, but her mother instilled in the children a deep faith and confidence that Providence would always care for them. The love of natural beauty and trust in Divine Providence became a deep part of young S. Attilia’s life.

Then things changed. When S. Attilia was sixteen, her mother died. This loss affected her deeply. Advised by a priest that God could write straight with crooked lines, S. Attilia began daily church attendance and prayer. On a three-day retreat, she was asked by the priest if she had ever thought of giving her life to God. She had not. The thought became a possibility. The Daughters of the Holy Cross, who served in her town, were the only religious community she knew. At the age of 20, she went to Rome to join them.

After S. Attilia entered the Novitiate, she was trained to become a teacher. She made her final vows in 1965 and was sent to teach in elementary school. Eventually, she became a principal. However, an event occurred that changed her life. She was assigned to be in charge of a residence for Sisters who were studying in Rome. S. Attilia began to observe that congregations had different charisms and how God worked through them in different ways. Attilia’s congregation was very restrictive. Sisters were semi-cloistered and removed from contact with the people. S. Attilia had always longed to work among and for people.

One of the Sisters living in the house was S. Joan de Lourdes, former General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, who was studying in Rome for a degree in canon law. S. Joan was kind and encouraged S. Attilia in her desire to speak English. Then, S. Maria Pascuzzi arrived in Rome. S. Attilia met S. Maria’s Sister friends who visited. S. John Raymond, who had succeeded S. Joan, came to Rome for a meeting of General Superiors. She also came to stay and to visit S. Maria.

S. Attilia saw how differently the Sisters of St. Joseph lived and ministered. In a casual conversation with her, S. John Raymond remarked that there was a priest in Brooklyn who kept asking her to send him an Italian Sister to minister in his parish. S. Attilia began to wonder. Would she have chosen differently if she had a broader knowledge? Would she have joined the Sisters of St. Joseph if she had met them? The idea of transfer began to stir in her.

S. Attilia confided her confusion to a priest who then asked her, “If you were to found a congregation today, what would you call it?” Aware of her desire to turn outward to people and unaware of the words used by the Sisters of St. Joseph, S. Attilia responded, “The congregation of God’s love.”

S. Attilia discussed this with S. Maria, who contacted S. John Raymond, and the process of transfer began. It was not easy. The Sisters in her community were horrified that she would leave them and join an American congregation. They contacted their bishop about it. The bishop by contrast was very supportive. He helped her and encouraged her to go.

In 1986, S. Attilia arrived in Brentwood, having already been a vowed religious for 22 years. After a brief orientation period, she was sent to minister to the Italian community in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Brooklyn. At St. Joseph’s College Convent, where she was sent to live, S. John Baptist tutored her in English. For English fluency, she also audited college courses she had already taken in Italy.

During this time, S. Attilia was unable to get a green card and permanent residency. She had to visit Italy every six months to reestablish herself. In 1987, the United States instituted a lottery of 5,000 persons who could get permanent credentials. There were 250,000 applicants, S. Attilia among them. Time passed and it seemed as if she was not among the winners.

Meanwhile, her ministry continued. She visited a young man who had been paralyzed in an accident. His mother asked if she could find someone to help him to regain use of his legs through exercise. S. Attilia called Catholic Charities. In the course of the conversation, she learned that they were trying to locate someone who had won the lottery. Since they couldn’t find that person, the name was going to be discarded the next day and another name chosen. She asked the person’s name and was told “Attilia Mazzina.” To receive her permanent credentials for residency in the United States, she had to fly to Naples immediately before they were given away.

Finally settled, S. Attilia ministered in the Italian community until 1995. Then a teacher of Italian and Spanish was needed at Fontbonne Hall Academy. She was asked to fill that need. She remained there until 2003, when she was sent to join the language department at Bishop Kearney High School. Completing her time there, S. Attilia went to Methodist Hospital, where she cared for premature infants in the ICU. Then, back in parish ministry, she volunteered as a pastoral minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Brooklyn. Now, 81 years old and “retired,” she is in the classroom again, answering a need for a Latin teacher at Fontbonne Hall Academy.

In 2023, S. Attilia celebrated 60 years in religious life. She has lived by her mother’s teaching: “Never worry. Providence will take care of you.” In so many ways, this has been clear in her life.