During her childhood, Sister Bruna Ziotti had a vision that inspired her to become a missionary among the poorest people in India. She was a member of her parish's Catholic Association. While reading a magazine, she saw a photo of an African child and remembered her inspiration to devote herself to the poor in India. She kept her dream in her heart for a long time. After completing her studies, she joined the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. After becoming an ASC, she began her career as a passionate teacher in public schools. Sr. Bruna was very intelligent; God had blessed her with many gifts and talents. She was an excellent administrator, a woman of vision, courage, strength, and love. She had a deep faith in Jesus, love for the congregation, and respect for the foundress, Maria De Mattias.

She served as General Treasurer from 1959 to 1965. While serving as General Treasurer, she continued to teach. In 1968, she was appointed Provincial Superior of the former province of Florence. During her term as Provincial Superior (1968-1973), she had the courage to renovate many of the houses with more facilities for the sisters, build boarding schools for poor children, and start schools. She sent the sisters to pursue various professional studies to become teachers and nurses and to pursue theological studies according to the needs of the province. In all these initiatives, she faced many challenges, criticisms, and misunderstandings. But the Lord, whom she held close, guided her to carry out initiatives and projects for the good of the province. The sisters were also strengthened spiritually through annual retreats, seminars, and special renewal programs. One of the greatest achievements was finding a way to realize the vision she had had as a child, which she had always kept fresh in her heart and nourished with prayer. And she had waited patiently for God's timing.

In 1969, she organized a spiritual retreat with a Jesuit priest for the sisters of the provincial house in Florence. At the end of the retreat, there was confession for the participants; since there were many, the priest himself brought another priest, Father Ponds Parapilly. After confessions, the priests were invited to dinner. While they were at the table, Sister Bruna took the opportunity to learn more about India. During the conversation, she expressed her desire to start an ASC mission in India. Father Ponds was very supportive of her idea and promised his help in bringing the project to fruition.

The Second Vatican Council had urged religious institutions to start missions in developing countries. The ASC General Assembly, held in 1968, welcomed the Church's invitation and encouraged the provinces to start missions in these countries. For Sr. Bruna, this paved the way for her dream of becoming a missionary. Therefore, Sr. Bruna considered India as a future mission.

After a few months, Father Ponds learned that the Most Reverend Joseph Parekkattil, then Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Kerala, was in Rome, and he arranged an appointment with His Eminence for Sister Bruna. Sister Bruna was very happy to meet the cardinal and discuss the future mission, so she and some other sisters went to meet and talk with him. She asked him to send some young women who wanted to become sisters to Italy (to Florence), assuring him that they would return to India at the end of their religious training. The cardinal promised to help her with this endeavor.

Sister Bruna continued to correspond with His Eminence and received a message from him informing her that he would send five young women as requested, on condition that they return to India after their profession. Sister Bruna was happy and thanked the Lord for his many blessings. She organized everything and provided them with the best for their formation.

 In April 1972, Sister Bruna and Sister Mary Catherine Girrens, then General Councilor, traveled to Kerala, India. They went to meet with the cardinal and discussed the possibility of a new mission in north India, and he encouraged them. After visiting the families of the young women, they traveled to the diocese of Simla in north India. They met with the bishop of the Diocese of Simla, and while the sisters discussed opening a house in his diocese, the bishop advised them that since it would be their first house, it would be better to start in Bangalore, Karnataka, because there would be ample opportunities for the sisters' spiritual and professional preparation there. Sister Bruna accepted the suggestion. After a month's visit to India, they returned happy. Upon her return, she shared everything with her sisters in Italy. She also prepared her sisters to welcome the new venture with hope. It took openness, love, and sacrifice.

To carry out the new mission, she began to prepare herself by learning English and gathering materials and funds. To be free to prepare for the mission, she resigned from her position as Provincial Superior and began studying English together with Sr. Angela Tocco, who would become the Director of Postulants. After adequate training, the young women made their first religious profession. Sr. Bruna's plan was to go to India together with the newly professed Indian sisters.

 A new provincial administration took charge of the Province, with Sr. Aldina Barbarossa as the new Provincial Superior. Sr. Aldina and the Council decided to send the young sisters to Rome for professional studies before their return to India. This decision created tension, friction, and much confusion among the sisters and caused Sr. Bruna much pain and suffering. The idea of going to India was postponed until after the sisters had completed their studies. Sr. Bruna entrusted everything into God's hands and placed her trust in Him. After three years, God opened the way for her mission journey.

In January 1978, Sr. Bruna and the Indian sisters traveled to Bangalore for the new ASC mission. There was absolutely nothing for their stay or their mission. They stayed with the Carmelite Fathers at their St. John's Spirituality Center for a few months. During their stay there, with the help of the fathers, Sr. Bruna and her young sisters looked for a house to rent and a plot of land on which to build a new mission house. It was a very difficult time for Sr. Bruna: her knowledge and imagination of India were insufficient to live and work in a culture with such different customs, languages, climate, and beliefs. The reality of the different social castes was also an aspect with implications that were somewhat difficult for a foreigner to understand. Furthermore, not being accustomed to Indian food, she soon fell ill and had to leave the country of her dreams.  Although she returned to Italy, her heart and mind remained in India. She followed every stage of the development of the ASC mission in India with love and interest until her departure for eternal life.

As a zealous Adorer-Apostle, she served God and his people with love and enthusiasm. At the age of 98, on December 16, 2017, she was called to eternal life. From heaven, she intercedes for the Indian sisters and their mission. Dear Sister Bruna lives in the hearts of every Indian Adorer and is remembered with affection.

Sr. Mariamma Muttel, ASC