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Exma. Sra. Maria da Estrela Pimentel -
truly a family-devoted saintly woman
and one who preached by example at that -
alas, *esta senhora* left no heirs... |
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Everyone called her "Tia Estrela" - even those who were not her nephews or nieces! She was that kind of lady, in her living years; such a kind sweet lady that all found themselves endeared to her. As one of her actual nieces complained though, Tia Estrela's strict moral values made her also a very stern disciplinarian. But that is only evidence that she was indeed as pure as everyone knew her to be. She was never to be found living in any convent - but she could just as easily have been - for she spent her entire life in pious contemplation and devotion to her loved ones. She knew the true meaning of "family" and loved children but would never marry. Thus, motherly Tia Estrela would never have any of her own.
(In her days, being a "single mother" was just NOT an option - or even conceivable. Those were good RATIONAL days!)
If there was someone's picture next to the word PURITY in the dictionary, it would have to be hers - or Mother Teresa's! Tia Estrela is more than the Pimentel Clan's Heroine above all heroines; she is the Clan's Patron Saint!
Just like Hildegard Von Bingen, Tia Estrela lived to praise the Lord. Just like Th�r�se de Lisieux, Tia Estrela wanted nothing more than to be a Godly woman. Just like Bernadette de Soubiroux, Tia Estrela remained a vestal virgin until her last breath. Truly, no woman could be any more saintly than Tia Maria da Estrela Pimentel, in this day and age.
Like my grand-father and father, Tia Estrela passed away after a stroke.
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As for the very saintly Lionilde, I equate Tia Estrela with the saint LUCIA DE JESUS DOS SANTOS who is both her contemporary and her sister in Christ. I hope to post a picture of Tia Estrela, below, where the larger golden bell is, soon. |
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When I was born, Tia Estrela was overjoyed to learn the news. Much like the priest from my parish (where I was baptized) she sort of equated my father, mother and me to the Holy Family. She was so happy that her sweet sobrinho, Joao, was a father - and that the quiet, nice girl (and, henceforth, her new niece) that he had married had become a mother. Upon learning, also, that my name was Luciano, she lauded the choice, knowing fully well that there had never been a Luciano in the family. Verily, Luciano is as uncommon a name in this Clan as... well, Maria da Estrela!
Her sisters Ines and Gloria married and had large families of at least three children apiece. Tia Estrela was an aunt and matriarch to so many - primarily her brothers' offspring - and as such, she was a very strict disciplinarian type indeed, but an affectionate and caring one. What's more, she was genuine - a trait not all of her nephews share. She was nothing but sweetness to those who did share that trait and that knew how to behave, such as my father.
Alas, in the light of everything else that has since come to pass, I am inclined to believe that she would have had a series of heart attacks if she had seen how some of the subsequent generation have behaved! She was spared that - the Good Lord Took her before it really got out of hand (or North Americanized, whichever you prefer.) |
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Below: the wedding gift that Tia Estrela gave my father and mother tells how much of a Godly woman this Lady was - and is, up there, with Him. |
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