One of the things that I always admired about Liliana was her great freedom – a freedom possessed only by true daughters of the Father – and her vulnerability, which also gave rise no little gossip, misunderstandings and suffering. In her heart, there was always room for Brothers and Sisters. She welcomed them affectionately and put herself out for all of them. If she knew that anyone was having a hard time, she’d just say that she was going to see him or her without further ado.
I remember that she knew someone who was going through a bad patch and sometimes drank too much. When he came to see her and wept in front of her like a baby, Liliana was there to help him, not caring about what others might think or say. She gave no explanations, so as not to draw attention to that person’s problem, even when a “quiet word” from her would have saved her from a few adverse comments and problems. None of that was important to her; what really mattered to her was the individual. Today, many years later, I can only think that the words of the Apostle Paul were made reality in Liliana:
“Weep with those who weep and laugh with those who laugh.” (Romans. 12,15)
One day, she asked me to go to fetch something from her wardrobe; when I opened it, I was amazed. It was almost empty; there were just three changes of lingerie, and one skirt, one blouse and one dress. When I asked her if she didn’t have any other clothes, she – with one of her merry laughs – replied that, yes, in her suitcase, she had a pair of shoes and a bikini (something rather frivolous for a religious in the late ‘70s!). A few months later, when she was getting ready to return to Uganda, I could see for myself that she hadn’t been lying to me. That was all the luggage she had.
Liliana with children of the village
At that time, she had two books that she really enjoyed and which she often mentioned to me. I got the impression that she might have felt herself reflected in them, when I saw that she quoted verses or stanzas from them by heart, her face shining and her eyes sparkling with that fresh light so typical of people in love. These books were “The Song of Songs” and “Hinds’ Feet on High Places“, by Anna Hurnard. She also was writing a book of her own about how the “Good Shepherd” was turning her crippled feet into those of a hind.
The love she felt for the poor and her way of making them feel good and at ease in her presence, was one of her many qualities. She had a weakness, if you can call it that, for children, for whom she would make any sacrifice, as long as they ended up the better for it.
I thanked my father, God, for the road I had travelled with her. And, over the years, I often found myself thanking Liliana for her friendship. Thanks to her for all she had done for me, and for her example. However, this event highlighted the sort of person she was and the way she had lived her life.
Esperanza Rosillo, SMC
