Ludovica Nasti, Lila from "The brilliant friend": leukemia, faith and pilgrimages to Medjugorje
The talented young actress fell ill at 5 and up to 10 she did it in and out of hospitals. Today she is fine: “(…) faith has never abandoned me. My family and I are very devoted to Our Lady and every year we make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje ”.
Ludovica Nasti, the little Lila Cerullo in the Rai1 listener series "The brilliant friend" inspired by the best-selling novel of the same name by the writer Elena Ferrante, is a 13-year-old girl who will start in September (we hope in the classroom for all Italian students) the linguistic high school. Talented actress of TV and cinema, beautiful with her dark hair and amber complexion, she has a look that is hard to forget: green eyes like the sea of Pozzuoli that saw her born. Her face brings to mind Steve McCurry's Afghan girl for intensity and expressiveness.
After the fortunate experience with Saverio Costanzo, a somewhat rebellious girl with a difficult family situation behind her is broadcast in Un posto al sole as Mia Parisi. On May 19th her first book Diario geniale was released, a diary composed of photographs and thoughts, including the text of her second musical single: Mamma è niente written by Ornella Della Libera and composed by Gino Magurno. She is also one of the protagonists of the latest film by Marcello Sannino Rosa Pietra e Stella. And then we will soon be able to applaud her in two short films, one inspired by Anne Frank entitled "Our name is Anna", and the other is "Fame" and tells the city of Naples.
I got sick when I was 5, I was in and out of hospitals
In an interview for the weekly Miracoli she told about her dreams as a teenager, the passions that fill her days, the events that have marked her, such as her battle against leukemia. From her confidences emerges a courageous spirit, combative and full of pride and gratitude for having survived the disease.
I was almost 5 years old when I fell ill with leukemia and up to 10 I lived in and out of hospitals, but I never gave up, I always fought with strength and determination (...) In the hospital I had become a bit the mascot of the Department. I went through painful exams like a warrior, always with a smile on my face! I have faced a long journey but even from the last checks everything is going well. (Miracles)
The worst and most painful moment was when she had to cut her hair because of the treatment: “I was used to wearing it long” (Ibidem).
In the most difficult moments I prayed a lot
The strength that supported Ludovica and her family in such a tragic moment was faith, they entrusted themselves to the Heavenly Mother, she who suffered seeing her son die under the cross:
I am very much a believer, I go to church, this has helped me a lot, faith has never abandoned me. In the most difficult moments I prayed a lot. My family and I are very devoted to Our Lady and every year we make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. (Miracles)
Mother and daughter at the foot of the Crucifix in Medjugorje
On her Instagram profile there is a beautiful photo of Ludovica and her mother who kiss with devotion the feet of the Crucifix located on the hill of apparitions in Medjugorje. A gesture of love, supplication, thanksgiving. Next to the image a caption dedicated to the mother who climbed the mountain of illness with her:
Climbing the mountain hand in hand with you doesn't scare me… have we climbed mountains of our life much more difficult?
Mom I wanted to say thank you ... thanks for the strength you send me thanks for always being close to me thanks for never making me feel alone ...
I will always be grateful to you
Mom follows her on set and encourages her to follow and cultivate her dreams. But not only…
I also have the support of my 27-year-old sister Martina, who has a 9-year-old son, my beloved nephew Gennaro, and my 25-year-old brother Lorenzo. (Ibid)
Ludovica plays football, is a striker and midfielder, plays the guitar, dances hip hop and obviously supports Naples. Like all girls her age, she spends time with her friends, watches series on Netflix, enjoys taking pictures. His myth? Sofia Loren, to whom many have already compared her and who expressed her appreciation for the part of Lila Cerullo who made her known to the general public.
(…) Who knows if one day I will be able to meet her. (Miracles)
Source: Aleteia