Following a massive stroke on November 8, 2023, Sister Patricia Orban died peacefully on November 14, surrounded by members of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM) and members of her family.

In the days preceding her death, she had also been visited by many friends, from the diverse circles among which Patricia moved with ease and purpose.

Early Life & Education

Patricia graduated from Sion Academy, Saskatoon, SK in 1965. In October of that year, she entered the RNDM novitiate at Sacred Heart College in Regina, and began her formation towards becoming a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions.

Following her first vows she obtained a teaching certificate, a Diploma in theology, and later completed a Master of Divinity degree. 

She taught for two years at St. Michael’s school in Regina, and then turned her focus towards Peru, where she arrived in 1973. Patricia made her final vows, in Ilo, Peru, on January 4, 1976.

Professional Life

Patricia loved Peru and Peruvians from the beginning. She became fluent in Spanish and did pastoral and catechetical work. She was particularly involved with Family Catechesis, which served in the formation of Basic Christian Communities (BCC).

In this process, Patricia’s own spiritual life also deepened. She found joy in her work in several Peruvian cities where RNDMs served: Lima, Ilo, Candarave, and Arequipa.

Patricia also served the Congregation in leadership positions in Peru: as Director of Novices, Director of young Sisters, and Regional Coordinator.

Return to Canada

After twenty years in Peru, Patricia returned to Canada. She took time for a sabbatical to attend to her own spirit that had been traumatized by the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) terrorists in Peru.

She was subsequently drawn to finding alternatives to violence and becoming skilled in conflict resolution. This choice reflected her own need for healing, and the need she saw in an increasingly violent world.

Later Life & Focus

Throughout her 55 years as an RNDM, Patricia continued her learning through courses in catechetics, spirituality, contemplation, cosmology. She became a reflexology practitioner and a facilitator of Alternatives to Violence workshops.

She was an active member of many circles: the Catholic Network for Women’s Equality, the Mary of Magdala Inclusive Catholic Community, Contemplative prayer circles, and Indigenous circles to name a few.

In her later years, Patricia’s life flourished through the practice of Centering Prayer and her relationships with Indigenous kookums, elders and their families in Regina. She was always faithful in visiting her RNDM sisters at Santa Maria nursing home.

Relationship Skills

Patricia’s relational skills enabled her to maintain mutually enhancing relationships with persons from around the globe that she had been privileged to meet throughout her life. A torrent of sympathy letters came into the Provincial office following her death.

Funeral

The diversity of peoples who came together for Patricia’s funeral was a testament in itself, and a sense of that diversity is reflected in the recording of Patricia’s requiem, which was live-streamed, and which is available on YouTube from the channel of St. Cecilia’s parish: