Among the thirty-one people to whom the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for their civic engagement, their “dedication to the common good ” and “their witness to republican values,” there is also a religious woman we know well: our own Sister Emma Zordan, the dynamic member of the Congregation of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ who, at 84 years old, has been traveling every Saturday for the past 12 years from Latina to the Rebibbia Prison, where she holds her creative writing workshop with the inmates of the Roman penitentiary.
On March 3 at 12:00 p.m. at the Quirinale, she was awarded an honor as significant as it was unexpected: “Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,” with the citation: “For her dedicated efforts to improve the living conditions and reintegration prospects of prisoners.”
This recognition was awarded, therefore, specifically for her volunteer work at Rebibbia, where she organizes writing workshops and literary contests “to foster and enhance the inmates’ ability to express themselves.” We know that the time she spends every Saturday morning in “confinement” is more than just a demanding writing workshop: it is a space of freedom and welcome that uplifts and offers listening, attention, and affection to the inmates. It helps them face the harshness of incarceration and reconnect with the threads of their broken lives, regain dignity, seek forgiveness, and look to the future with hope, despite the inhumanity of prison. A commitment that does not stop within the prison walls, but which Sister Emma continues outside, in her relationship with the inmates’ relatives, following and supporting those who have been released from prison. But also by helping those on the outside to free themselves from prejudices and preconceptions, opening their eyes and hearts to the reality of prison. The tool she uses is the presentation of the books she edits each year, at the conclusion of the creative writing workshop, collecting testimonies from inmates and thus giving them a voice. These are meetings held in parishes, schools, and bookstores that help raise awareness of the reality of life behind bars and the humanity of those who live in confinement.
Because of her dual commitment—both inside and outside the prison—Sister Emma has received numerous messages of congratulations, such is the esteem in which she is held by those who have known and appreciated her as a teacher and formator, or who have met her in prison as inmates or volunteers. Particularly significant is the message from the Provincial Superior of her Congregation, Sister Milena Marangoni. “We were delighted to learn,” writes the superior, “of the distinguished title of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic that was conferred upon you by the Head of State, President Sergio Mattarella, for your commitment to improving the living conditions of inmates and giving them the opportunity to reintegrate into society.” “It is an act,” she observes, “that rewards your tireless and passionate work on behalf of people living in extremely precarious conditions in our prisons, as evidenced by the numerous suicides that occur there. It is an event,” the nun concludes, “that honors not only you but the entire Congregation to which you belong and, above all, our Region. We thank you, Sister Emma, for showing us that there is no age limit to dedicating our lives to the least among us, and we wish you continued energy and love in this ministry, which is so urgent today.”
While the Head of State's recognition has presented the public with positive examples to follow, Sister Emma's award honors not only her but also the dedication of the many volunteers—particularly religious women sisters—who, with humility, discretion, and generosity, devote themselves to the prison population.
Precisely for this reason, that phone call from the Quirinale came unexpectedly and surprised Sister Emma. But it also confirmed President Mattarella’s great sensitivity toward the reality of prison life and his concern for the inhumane conditions in which inmates live. This recognition has strengthened the volunteers’ bond with the person who most fully represents democratic institutions and safeguards our Constitution. This high honor certainly does not change Sister Emma’s life or her commitment, but perhaps it compensates her for the many hardships, misunderstandings, and sufferings that—like the inmates—the volunteers also endure while working in the prison. Now, perhaps with even greater strength and determination, Sister Emma Zordan, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, will walk through the security gates of Rebibbia to meet her friends, the inmates—who are surely happy and proud of this recognition, which extends beyond Sister Emma to embrace all her sisters who dedicate their lives to serving prisoners in Italian prisons. It is an extraordinary and essential service of compassion and humanity that the Quirinale has brought to the nation’s attention.
Roberto Monteforte