Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello everyone! My name is Laura Silvina Baldini and I am a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I was born in Rosario, Argentina to Martha (a housekeeper) and Ruben Baldini (a farmer), & am the firstborn & only girl in my family. Of my 2 brothers, Pablo, & his wife, Alicia, have two children, Camila and Nicolás. As many of you know, about a month ago, Nicolás was diagnosed with a brain tumor and in a two-week turnaround he went to our Heavenly Father. I would like to express on behalf of my family our heartfelt gratitude for your support & loving embrace in prayer. At the same time, new life is also coming: my youngest brother, Lucas & his partner, Araceli, are expecting a baby boy, named Juan, in the first days of July.
Professionally, I trained as a Chemical Engineer & a high school teacher in Chemical Engineering, which means I can design efficient industrial processes, & also teach Math, Physics, Chemistry, etc. I consider myself a curious woman & enjoy singing, traveling, communicating in different languages & with different peoples & cultures. I also enjoy spending time and good conversation with young & old. In my free time, my favorite activities are listening to music, walking, & baking.
(Photo R: Sr. Laura in Swazi traditional costume)
How did you meet the MSCs? What were you doing before you joined the MSCs?
I met the MSCs in 1999 when studying in Rosario. While discerning my vocation, I realized my desire was to be a missionary. I was introduced to the MSCs, and wrote to Sr. Martha Maria Lopez (Vocations Director at the time), though the first MSC I met was Sr. Josefina Sosa at Mother Cabrini College, near my home in Rosario. I started to visit the MSC communities often and continued vocational discernment.
In March 2000, I joined the community, and Sr. Lucy Panettieri, Provincial Superior, welcomed me. I was an Aspirant & Candidate while finishing my studies, sharing life and mission with the sisters. My Novitiate was in Italy from 2003-2005. After First Profession, I returned as a Junior MSC to Buenos Aires, where I studied, while serving at Cabrini Institute in Staff, Child & Youth Ministry, and as a physics and chemistry teacher. In 2009, I had a life-changing missionary experience as part of the SOMISCA Project (Cabrinian Missionary Solidarity, in Maranhão, Brazil) with Sr. Eulalia, MSC. After that, I was sent to our inserted mission in Villa Amelia, Buenos Aires, where I joyfully served in our school, supported the clinic and was involved in parish youth ministry, becoming a catechist in 2010.
I participated in the commission preparing the 2014 MSC General Chapter, an experience that allowed me to learn more about our Institute, and how to dialogue with sisters & partners-in-mission from different cultural backgrounds. Then I left Argentina for the US to prepare for my Final Vows, which took place in New York City, on 31st May 2015, Holy Trinity Sunday.
What is your ministry now?
Nowadays, I minister as the Executive Director of Cabrini Ministries, St. Philip’s Mission (eSwatini). In January 2016, I arrived in eSwatini, and over the years have had opportunities (& blessings!) to serve within different departments as house mother, driver, teacher, cleaner, in administration, Monitoring & Evaluation, Mission Integration and as an Executive Team member. These experiences helped me to know the Mission and Vision of Cabrini Ministries more deeply, and to embrace and love the staff, the community we serve, and our daily ministry.
What do you hope for HSR?
I hope we continue to commit and work vigorously and joyfully; to grow more and more as Bearers of the Love of the Heart of Jesus in creative ways. I hope we continue to accept the challenge of welcoming, developing, and forming all possible vocations: that is, growing new generations of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for the Glory of God. I hope we can be a lighthouse of hope and joy for the Cabrini World, and open new and life-giving pathways to mission.
What are your dreams for the future?
I dream that what I hope for becomes active, vibrant… and true!
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Just to express how grateful I am to the Lord for calling me to be a Missionary of His Sacred Heart. His Mercy upon me, upon us, upon the whole world is everlasting – and I am (we are!) a living sign of that! Thank you for this space: we can really get to know and appreciate each other!
Photo L: Sr. Laura with her community in eSwatini, with L to R: Srs. Asnakech, Meseret & Sr. Laura with Sr. Diane in front.)
Thanks to Holy Spirit newsletter for this article
This is a beautiful reflection, Sister Laura. Thank you for sharing some of your story and also your dreams and hopes for the future.