February 15, 1930 – December 4, 2024
Sr. Maria Aquina was born in Ittelhofen on February 15, 1930. She was the eleventh of twelve children born to Josef and Maria Schindlbeck. She was baptized on February 16 in the parish church of the diocese of Eichstädt with the name Anna Justina.
She attended primary school and then three years of home economics school in her village, Eichstädt. During the war, she helped her parents with the farm work and housework. She attended the parish and enjoyed going to Mass, even in winter, despite the snow and cold temperatures.
She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother at the convent in Abenberg. On March 19, 1954, she and six other candidates entered the novitiate in Abenberg. She already had a sister in our Institute, Sr. Maria Maura. In 1955, during her second year of novitiate, she was transferred to Casa Generalizia in Rome. She made her first profession of vows in Rome on March 19, 1956.
In 1957, without any knowledge of Italian (as she writes in her biography), Sr. Aquina was sent to Mondavio to help in the hospital kitchen. On March 19, 1961, she made her Perpetual Profession in Rome, and in 1969 she was transferred to Borgo S. Spirito. The Sister was hospitalized several times and underwent several surgical operations, from which she always recovered very well. In 1976 she was transferred to Casa Generalizia where she took care of the hospitality.
Sr. Aquina kept an active correspondence with many people, especially priests. Her sense of humor was appreciated by many. On March 19, 1981, she celebrated her 25th Jubilee of Profession at Casa Generalizia in Rome. In 1993, she was transferred to Castel Sant’Elia, where she devoted herself to prayer with the other sisters of the community and helped with various duties. She celebrated her 50th Jubilee of religious life on September 28, 2003, in Rome, Capannelle, and her 60th Jubilee in 2013, also in Capannelle.
Sr. Aquina tirelessly served the community in various ministries at the kindergarten and the women’s shelter in Castel Sant’Elia. The girls living in the shelter affectionately called her “nonna” (grandma).
In 2018, Sr. Aquina experienced some health problems that required hospitalization in Viterbo. The deterioration of her physical condition required her transfer to the Nursing Home in Capannelle. In 2021, she tested positive for Covid and, despite her very precarious health condition, she recovered from the disease.
In recent years, she was unable to walk and was confined to a wheelchair. She was cared for by the sisters and staff. Prayer set the rhythm of her days. She would read all the congregational news and pray for the sisters and the intentions that were shared with her. She enjoyed the company of people and the sisters—with the help of her superior she would also speak to them by phone or video call. She was often visited by priests for confession and the sacraments.
In recent months, her health had become unstable, and her respiratory and heart problems had slowly worsened. The last week of November, Sr. Aquina received the sacraments and the anointing of the sick. Sister became weaker and weaker and stopped eating. She was given the medical care she needed and was accompanied in prayer during this transition.
Sr. Aquina passed away peacefully on December 4 at 2:00 p.m. By her side was Sr. Monica Baneschi, who had taken care of her over these years.
The funeral was held in the Chapel of Casa Generalizia on December 7. Her body now lies at the Verano Cemetery in Rome, but her soul is rejoicing at the heavenly banquet in the home of the Father.
Submitted by Sr. Miryam E. Stella