Luisa Dell’Orto, a 65-year-old nun from Lecco, was killed in Haiti, probably for the purpose of robbery, in the capital Port au Prince where she worked. Sister Luisa had been on the island for 20 years. The news of the killing of the nun of the Little Sisters of the Gospel of Charles de Foucauld was given by the Archdiocese of Milan. The nun – it is recalled – was considered “the angel of street children” and was “the backbone of Kay Chal,” Casa Carlo “, in a very poor suburb of Port-au-Prince”.
Sister Luisa – who dedicated her life and mission to baby slaves – was seriously injured in the attack: rushed to Bernard Mevs hospital, she died shortly after, two days before she turned 65. The news made a huge impact in Port-au-Prince where “seur Luisa”, as they called her, was an institution.
“Casa Carlo” was rebuilt thanks to the funds raised by the Italian Caritas with the maxi-collection of 2010, promoted by the CEI. The center – also animated by the volunteers of the Ambrosian Caritas – also offers a safe space for hundreds of children from the very poor neighborhood. The nun had been involved in its reconstruction after the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010.
Born in Lomagna (Lecco) on June 27, 1957, Sister Luisa had a degree in History and Philosophy; she entered the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Gospel of Lyon she at 30 she left for Cameroon. In 1994 she had a degree in theology in Switzerland. From 1997 to 2001 she was a missionary in Madagascar, where in various pastoral activities, she teaches General and Special Ethics. Since 2002 she was a missionary in Haiti. You have also taught History of Philosophy and the Social Doctrine of the Church and served on the editorial board of a local magazine.