Sister Candida Bellotti Celebrates her 110th Birthday

Sister Candida Bellotti was born the third daughter of  ten to a humble family on February 1907, in the romantic city of Verona. This gives her the honor of being the oldest nun in Italy, at 110 years old, yet more proof that the Italian lifestyle affords amazing longevity. (Read: Why Are There So Many People in Italy Over 100 Years Old?)

She was celebrated by the Vatican this week: "To the Reverend Sister Candida Bellotti, Minister of the Sick, which with gratitude to God, celebrates her one hundred and tenth birthday, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, spiritually participates in the common joy for your happy occasion, and conveys his congratulations and warm wishes."

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She became a nun at the age of 20 and started her religious career as a nurse starting at the Institute of the Servants of the Sick of Lucca, and in many other Italian cities until retiring at the age of 93 in 2000. 

Her advice to young people
(which includes pretty much everyone reading this):
"To love, love and still love. With joy! "

I'll take that advice, Sorella. Auguri!
--Jerry Finzi

For more about longevity in Italy,
read about Europe's Oldest Person, Emma Morello HERE.