Another recently named as Venerable is SISTER LEONELLA SGORBATI, an Italian sister who was murdered in Somalia.
Sister Leonella was born in 1940 in Gazzola, Italy. As a teenager she wished to become a missionary sister, but her mother did not approve the choice and asked her to wait until she was twenty. She then joined the Consolata Missionary Sisters in San Fre, Cuneo in 1963, making her perpetual vows in 1972.
During this time she took nursing studies in England (1966–1968), and in 1970 was appointed to Kenya where she was until 1983.
In mid-1983, Venerable Leonella started advanced studies in nursing and in 1985 became the principal tutor at the school of nursing attached to Nkubu Hospital , Meru, Kenya.
In November 1993 she was elected regional superior of the Sisters in Kenya
Venerable Leonella was keen to train tutors for the nursing school. She returned to Kenya Mogadishu Mogadishu
Four days later she was gunned down outside her children's hospital. Her bodyguard, Mohamed Osman Mahamud, was also killed. Two gunmen emerged from behind nearby taxis and kiosks and shot her in the back after about 30 years of aid work in Africa. She was rushed to the SOS Hospital
This is the most authentic Christian testimony, a peaceful sign of contradiction which shows the victory of love over hatred..