Fernanda Riva was a Roman Catholic nun born in Monza, Italy, in 1920. A member of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, she dedicated her life to missionary work and education in India. After completing her studies in Belgaum, she moved to Mumbai to pursue advanced education and eventually held several leadership roles, including serving as a principal for educational institutions in Kerala. She passed away in Mumbai in 1956 following a battle with cancer.
Life and service
After joining her religious congregation in 1939, Riva moved to India to begin her missionary service. She held various academic positions, serving as the principal of St. Joseph's College for Women in Alleppey and leading Canossa High School in Mahim. She was instrumental in the establishment of a new college in Kerala, managing everything from the building's construction to the acquisition of necessary equipment.
Veneration
Following her death, many people recognized her holiness, with crowds at her funeral referring to her as a saint. Her cause for canonization was initiated in 1994, and she was later declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Her remains are currently kept at St. Joseph's Canossian Convent in Alleppey.