Neideane Alves Monteiro was born in the city of Coari, in the Amazon. She is the eighth child of Nazaré and Maria Lucinda.
From childhood, she was educated in the Church and began by participating in the community of St. Alphonsus, which belongs to the parish of St. Ann and St. Sebastian. At the age of 11, she became an altar server, the beginning of her dedication to the Church. Assisting the celebrant in the preparation of the gifts, the bread and the wine, was something that filled her heart. After her fifteenth birthday and receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, she began to participate in the liturgical ministry of the community. Love for the Liturgy continued to grow in her. Together with the members of her community, she diligently prepared the celebrations for each Sunday.
In September of 2012 she met the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master through a liturgical formation program in her parish. This moment was marked in her story and in her heart. The sisters there, Sr. Leticia Pontini and Sr. Marinez Cantelli, caught her attention for the enthusiasm with which they carried out the liturgical mission, and the manner in which these two sisters bore witness to the consecrated life. On the same day, Neideane searched the internet for information on the Sister Disciples. She arrived late for the presentation of the sisters and, therefore, did not hear what was said about the Congregation. It was a pleasant and joyful surprise when Neideane understood that their mission was the liturgy. She did not know that there were religious women dedicated entirely to this mission. Thus, on the last day of the formation program, she approached Sr. Leticia with some questions. Among these was how she could know the sisters better, since she felt drawn to the consecrated religious life. Her vocational accompaniment began on that day. With the passage of time, the young Neideane nurtured a strong desire to go out into the deeper waters, even if this took her away from her beloved Solimões River. She did not hesitate. She interrupted her studies toward a degree in biology and chemistry at the Federal University of the Amazon to continue her vocational formation. During that period, the presence and guidance of her pastor, Fr. João Batista de Almeida, a Redemptorist Father, played a significant role in her entrance into the Congregation of the Sister Disciples in the community of Manaus.
In 2013 she attended World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. It was an unforgettable moment for Neideane: to be close, to see and to hear the Holy Father, Pope Francis, bearing witness to the faith before thousands of youth present there and seeking the same ideal: to proclaim the Kingdom of God, gave her support and strength for the journey.
On August 20 of the same year, she entered the community of the Sister Disciples in Vila Mariana, San Paolo. Neideane recounts: “Leaving the immense Amazon and going to live in the city of San Paolo was not difficult for me, since in my heart I carried a strong ideal: the Divine Master is guiding me”. During this period of aspirancy, I assisted in the Liturgical Apostolate Center. In 2015 she went to Cabreúva, for her postulancy and helped in the workroom. In 2016 she was admitted to the novitiate, a moment of special importance in the journey, and lived this with joy and enthusiasm. These were two years of significant learning: in relation to the community and in prayer. Especially in prayer, she was able to solidify her desire to follow Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life as a Sister Disciple of the Divine Master. For her apostolic experience, she was sent to the communities of Christ Redeemer, RJ and Mother Scholastica, SP. Neideane described her experience: “I am happy and grateful to have lived this phase of the novitiate in Rio Grande do Sul, in company with this joyful people, who have strong faith and a beautiful culture that I have learned to love”.
On February 10, 2018, she will make her religious profession in Caxias do Sul, RS, sealing her covenant with the Divine Master. The novice testifies: “Therefore, with my life offering, I would like to continue to collaborate in the proclamation of Jesus Master and Shepherd, Way, Truth and Life, which our Founder, Blessed James Alberione entrusted to us as a mission. I am grateful to my family for all their support and love, to my friends, to the Pauline Family, and my sisters – the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, who welcomed me in this religious family and accompanied me during this period of initial formation. This includes all those who are joining me and who rejoice with me in this special moment of my life. I entrust myself to the intercession of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, of Saint Paul the Apostle, of Venerable Mother Scholastica Rivata, and to the prayers of each one of you”.
