A Life Rooted in Faith
From a world lit by gas lamps to the glow of smartphones, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas witnessed it all in her 116 remarkable years -- all while pointing to one constant Source of her strength. Her order announced her peaceful departure this past Wednesday, marking the end of an era that spanned incredible global change and the steadfastness of a life devoted to God.
Following the death of Japan’s Tomiko Itooka in January, Guinness World Records had officially recognized Sister Inah as the world's oldest person. With her passing, that title now belongs to English great-grandmother Ethel Caterham, who is 115 years and 252 days old and believed to be the last living person born in 1909. According to LongeviQuest, Sister Inah was the second-oldest Brazilian and the 15th-oldest person ever recorded. The title of the oldest person ever verified remains with Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived 122 years and 164 days; Calment died in 1997.
Sister Inah’s journey began on June 8, 1908, a time when Theodore Roosevelt was the President of the United States, the life-saving discovery of penicillin was still years away, and movies were just beginning to speak. From her early days, life presented challenges. Sister Inah was so skinny growing up, according to her 84-year-old nephew, Cleber Canabarro, that many doubted she would survive to adulthood, let alone reach such an extraordinary age.
As a teenager, Sister Inah chose a path of religious work, and throughout her 116 years, she consistently pointed to her Catholic faith as the cornerstone of her incredibly long life. LongeviQuest, a database that tracks the lives of supercentenarians, quoted her as once saying, “(God) is the secret of life. He is the secret of everything.” This deep conviction was recognized on her 110th birthday when she received a special blessing from Pope Francis.
Her journey of faith and service took her from her home state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil to Montevideo, Uruguay, for two years, then back to Brazil, living in Rio de Janeiro before returning to Rio Grande do Sul. Much of her life was dedicated to teaching, and among her former students was General João Figueiredo, who governed Brazil from 1979 to 1985. Beyond her spiritual and professional life, Sister Inah was a lifelong fan of her local soccer club, Sport Club Internacional (Inter). The club, which celebrated her birthday every year, released a touching statement last week paying tribute to her “kindness, faith and love.”
Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas’ assertion that God is "the secret of life" resonates deeply with the wisdom of Proverbs 3:1-2, which says, "Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity." While not all are called to such a remarkable length of days, Sister Inah’s life, marked by overcoming early frailty, dedicated service, and unwavering faith, reminds us that a life centered on God is a life of purpose and profound strength. Her journey encourages us to seek that divine "secret" in our own lives, trusting in His presence through all seasons, and living each day with a heart full of faith, kindness, and love.