Meet Irmã (Sister) Dina Oliveira dos Santos, osf

I was born in the interior of Brazil, far away from civilization. During my early years I lived on a farm where nature was raw, but splendid and pure. It was there that my enchantment with nature was born and a Franciscan seed was planted. My father taught me to appreciate and savor all that nature could offer us. It was during this time that I remember my first contact with the Church. I met the priest that visited our area once a year and on that day I was baptized and confirmed.

My parents moved to the city of Santa Helena 2 years later and so I returned to my family. I began to study in the parochial school where I had my first contact with the Franciscan Sisters. I looked at them and thought, “Are they real?” They were so beautiful; they looked like angels.

When I was 16 years old, I moved with my aunt and uncle to the city of Santa Helena and resumed my studies in the parochial school where various Sisters and Priests were my teachers. Getting to know better the work of these missionaries awakened in me a strong desire to serve the needy, to speak about Jesus Christ and to teach children. I have always been passionate about education. I felt I wanted something different, but didn’t know what or how to do it. Every film I watched on TV, stories that I heard or read, conversations, everything spoke of God and His call. I interpreted all of these signs as an invitation from God for a different, special mission.

Though feeling unsettled and anxious, I courageously searched. I went to Bishop Miguel, told him about my feelings and he directed me to the Franciscan Sisters. And so I began the discernment process. At first, I questioned myself, “Why me? How is it that the Lord chose me?” But as I began to deepen my prayer life and develop a relationship with God, I recognized that it was the love of God that had supported me in my earlier painful difficulties. The Lord led me and gave me what I needed to blossom. I feel God’s love and goodness through the special people that were put in my path. Today, I am very happy and proud to belong to this Congregation of courageous women who have contributed to the transformation and lasting construction of the Kingdom of God.