Come, Bride of Christ, receive the crown that the Lord has prepared you for eternal life

At the Second Vatican Council, more precisely in 1962, many of the prelates went to Rome to participate, including the young Bishop of Yaoundé of venerable memory, Monsignor Jean Zoa, who launched himself with enthusiasm to make known the needs of the Church of which he was in charge.

Among other activities, he chooses to give lectures to students, Catholic action movements and religious missionaries in Rome. Among the sisters was Sister Carmela and her group of young people.  During his presentation, Monsignor Jean Zoa expressed a desire to have sisters in his diocese. So, Sister Carmela Spangaro will take care of this request and respond spontaneously: «my» in other words, my Congregation will go there.  At the end of the interview, the request will arouse a positive reaction from the general superior and a firm decision by the sisters to come to Cameroon as mission AD GENTES.  The choice fell on the sisters whose names follow: Sr M. Luigia Nasato, Sr. M. Dora Rossi, Sr. M. Carla Helen Bettio and Sr. M. Stephania Serra. They will leave Rome on December 26, 1963 and they will be welcomed with joy in Mvolye by Monsignor Jean Zoa on 26 December 1963.

Sr. Carla with her jovial spirit will feel at ease among the people of the village, of Christians who, in turn, were distinguished by the warm and fraternal welcome typical of Africa and Cameroon.  They will come closer and closer to the sisters for various activities. Despite being in a new context, with precarious living conditions (language, mentality...), the sisters will donate themselves generously for evangelization supported by Monsignor Jean Zoa and the parish priest of that time, Father Albert LANOE, Spiritan, buried in Nkilzok.  In addition to prayer and catechesis, the sisters will create educational and health structures.  Sr. Carla was endowed with a legendary generosity and the love of the neighbour, so she will ask financial aid in Italy for to get studied some young Cameroonians.  From time to time, Sr. Carla will be local Superior of the communities and delegate of the FMSC Sisters in Cameroon.  After 63 years of generous service on African soil, and the burden of age, her health became fragile. Nevertheless, she continued to make herself useful in the community by making religious habits for the sisters, even sitting on a wheelchair; she did it with joy and enthusiasm.  Her participation remained effective until, her departure for Italy in 2019. She remained for us an emblematic icon.  His departure from Africa was a tear against his will, because of health problems.

So, on this December 15, 2022, this great Baobab, our Mama Carla, leaves us after 89 years of life on earth.  The Vice Province of Holy Martyrs of Uganda organized the celebration of the funeral of our Mama Carla according to the custom Béti. Having spent her whole life among the indigenous peoples, the ecclesiastical authorities and the council of our parish Saints Anne and Joachim of Nkoabang-Cameroon, they wanted it to be so.  It was then, that on January 9, 2023, Africa paid a vibrant tribute to Sr. Carla in the Béti culture by proceeding to the ceremony of «Nsil Awu», where indeed «the swarm» was performed to the rhythm of tamtamtam by us, then the Eucharistic celebration followed its course.  With the testimonies that we have had, virtues have been revealed to this valiant servant of the Lord; we can mention among other things: universal mother, excellent educator; woman dedicated to the task and prayer, sister with zeal and a distinct punctuality...; everything could be contained in more than one book.  We celebrated the life of our Sr. Carla and these events were held in good condition.

Sr. Carla, we can never replace your presence among us, you remain a good missionary model for the growing province that you leave in Africa; you have loved it so much, it seems your own homeland, as you said yourself while praying for Africa in an interview: "I ask the Lord to bless Africa and our presence, which wants to be missionary, prophetic and evangelizing, with numerous and good vocations for the continuity and vitality of our charism, and these young people in turn are happy to go and proclaim to other peoples and bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ, who died and rose for us, as has already been initiated».

Thank you, Sr. Carla, for this edifying testimony, thank you for what you have been and remain for us: a nice sister, affable, joyful and comic.  You kept company to everyone.   With you, we learned many lessons of life, we were happy to hear you, we laughed at everything and nothing. You were a gifted sister and dedicated to the service of others, a very kind, joyful and welcoming mother; hence, the affectionate name "Mama Carla".  A historical memory, a library, a confidant... With all our gratitude and fraternal affection, we say to you: Go and rest in Peace!

May you listen to these words of the Lord: «Come, Bride of Christ, receive the crown that the Lord has prepared you for eternal life».

Pray for the Church, for our congregation and our Vice Province that you have loved and served.  Pray for the growth of the mission in Africa and for many vocations.

Your memory remains forever in our hearts and lives.  We love you forever. Goodbye, Mama Carla!