Scolastica Rivata

Teresa Rivata, known in religion as Sister Scolastica, was born on 12 July 1897 in Guarene, a town in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, northern Italy. She was raised in a Catholic family in a rural Piedmontese setting at the turn of the twentieth century. In that environment she discerned a vocation to consecrated life and was drawn to the new apostolic works being organized by Father James Alberione in nearby Alba. Alberione was then gathering men and women into what became the Pauline Family, a group of institutes dedicated to evangelization through the means of social communication and through direct pastoral service.

Rivata received formation in the Pauline spirituality centered on Jesus Master and on Mary Queen of Apostles. When Alberione established a congregation of sisters who would work specifically with parish priests as collaborators in the care of souls, the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd (commonly called the Pastorelle Sisters) were founded on 7 October 1938 in Alba. Sister Scolastica was among the first members, was appointed the first Superior General, and is regarded as co-foundress of the institute together with Blessed James Alberione. The charism of the new community was to share the mission of Jesus the Good Shepherd by assisting pastors in parishes, especially in rural and neglected areas.

As Superior General she guided the congregation through its formative decades, including the Second World War, the reconstruction of Italy, and the years surrounding the Second Vatican Council. The sisters’ work comprised catechesis, preparation for the sacraments, family visitation, care of the sick and poor, liturgical animation, and support of lay apostolates. Mother Scolastica sought to form the members in simplicity, availability, and pastoral charity, remaining faithful to the founder’s vision as the institute took root in Italy and began to develop its identity within the Pauline Family.

In later life she resided in the Roman area, where the congregation established its generalate. She died on 24 March 1987 in Albano Laziale, in the province of Rome. The Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd have since spread to many countries, continuing the pastoral apostolate she helped inaugurate. Within the Pauline Family she is remembered as a humble co-worker of Blessed James Alberione. She has not been beatified or canonized, and no official liturgical feast has been assigned to her, though her reputation for holiness is preserved among the members of her congregation.