English 
On September 6, on the eve of the beginning of the XII General Chapter, Sr. Franca Nava returned to her Father’s house. She was 102 years old, the oldest among the missionaries of the Immaculate.
Born on October 4, 1921 in Vimodrone, Sister Franca spent the first years of her consecration as a young nurse in Bangladesh. “in Bangladesh – she recalled in this article published on Asia News on the occasion of Pope Francis’ trip to Dhaka – they needed 4 nuns and a nurse. It was August 1948, Monsignor Balconi arrives and calls me. No preamble, he asks me: “if you are sent to a mission are you afraid of dying of tuberculosis?’
I answer: ‘Not at all, the only fear is not leaving’. In youth certain calculations are not made: what difference does it make to die at 28 or 58? Well, Monsignor tells me, ‘if you leave willingly, the Lord will help you and you will resist.’ “This is indeed what happened”.
Having returned to Itakly due to health problems in 1973, she was asked to collaborate with the communications office at the Pime Center in Milan. She worked alongside Fr. Gheddo in the communications office for almost 50 years, as his secretary, spreading the passion for the mission that the missionary – journalist had recounted in many books. Sr. Franca recalled: “From him I learned the virtue of patience. When I got angry about delays and hassles at work, he always repeated to me: ‘Calm down Sr. Franca, the mission takes a long time and people need to be listened to’. I thank the Lord for all people I met at PIME, for Elena who took my place as secretary and still today makes me a part of that work that had become my life”.
Two years ago, when she turned 100, she said: “I dont lack anything, except meeting the Lord, forever; but I know that He is present everywhere and I feel that, that moment will be beautiful for me and for everyone”.
Here, Sr. Franca, this moment has arrived…We are certain that you will be able to intercede for all the Missionaries of the Immaculate from heaven.
