Troubadour Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George + March 2015
Courage, Pilgrim! by Mother M. Maximilia I have been on a number of pilgrimages in my life, mostly to well-known sites: Lourdes, Fatima, Rome, and Assisi. One unlikely pilgrimage destination was Denver, Colorado. The year was 1993 and I was an unsuspecting college student. Although I looked forward to this incredible trip, when the doors of the bus closed behind me, I did not realize I was on the threshold of a journey that would literally change my life. I am speaking of World Youth Day with Pope St. John Paul II. I can summarize my experience of this pilgrimage by asking and answering three questions. 1. Why did I set out? 2. What did I experience on the way? 3. What did I find in the end? Why did I set out? I knew the 1,400 mile trip would be gruel-
ing, but the energy and enthusiasm of youth allowed me to see the inevitable hardships as an adventure! The overall sense of adventure was not primarily bound up with the details of the journey, but with the person of John Paul II. I was intrigued and attracted by the depth of his insight into the human heart. His irrepressible faith in God’s mercy and the goodness of life had awakened something inside of me. In other words, the faith of John Paul II had communicated to me the promise of something great. What did I experience on the way? The first few days of the pilgrimage were exciting. Everything was new and spirits were high. I was impressed and edified by everything. And then came the day when I realized I was tired of living out of a suitcase, sleeping on hard floors, and eating hamburgers. Little did I
know then that we would eat many more days’ worth of McDonald’s before I could say that I had seen the Pope! I had reached the point of being disgusted with the bus, the sleeping bag, my companions, and humanity in general. And I was disgusted with myself for being disgusted. I had begun to lose my courage. To lose one’s courage is to lose one’s heart. It means that one forgets one’s deepest desires which is the reason for setting out on the journey. In my case, I had lost sight of why I wanted to be at World Youth Day with the Pope. This can also be said of life in general. On the path of life, we lose courage when we cannot remember the promise of glory that made it possible for us to strike out with confidence. What did I find in the end? I discovered that my general feeling of disgust was shared by everyone on the bus. Dorothy Day once said that the greatest penance is to suffer the shame of our sheer inability to be generous. So it was with us. This made us more understanding of each other and revived what we so desperately needed – a sense of humor! I did indeed finally see the Pope. That is an experience I will never forget. I was moved beyond all expectation. At that moment, I learned that God’s promises are real and that no amount of hardship invalidates them. At journey’s end I found my heart. Courage, pilgrim!
by Mother M. Ingeborg “In hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance” (Rom. 8:24). Hope is the very essential foundation of our existence. We were created to praise, love, and serve God, and thus prepare ourselves to live eternally with Him in heaven. All our life we hope. The most important hope is for eternal life in heaven. We see all of our life with the fulfillment of this hope. But if we truly analyze every moment of our life, we do hope all the time. Early in the morning, we hope to sleep a little longer; we hope all people are nice during the day; we hope we get nice mail; we hope the sun will shine; we hope we have something nice for lunch or at least for supper; we hope we can do our work well; we hope to have some nice visitors, and then we hope that they do not stay too long; we hope that maybe someone sends us some nice flowers; we hope that somehow we meet God in our daily prayers; we hope to have some quiet time to spend with God; we hope that
members of our families and friends who are ill will get well; we hope that those who die will go to heaven. We hope, hope, and hope! We do not know anything for certain at all. We do not know from one minute to the next what can happen. What do we really hope and know? That God loves us because He said so. In this certainty
ture, we find not a single word written that he spoke. God spoke to him through His angels. Jesus said, “I have come to bring you joy and that your joy may be complete” (Jn. 16:22). Jesus, Mary, and Joseph must have been a very joyful and happy family. They lived together, prayed together, and had fun together. You wonder what their conversations were about!
we are satisfied to live all day in hope. It is true. We live in hope all the days of our life. There are people who despair. They lack the strength to hope. We have to pray for them. But I do not want to forget St. Joseph. His Feast is March 19th. For thirty years, he lived daily with the Son of God. He was chosen by God to be the foster father of His Son. In Scrip-
When Joseph died, Jesus and Mary were with him. What a wonderful death indeed. We can always entrust our needs to Joseph. He will understand because he was humble, just, and definitely loved by Jesus. I did not forget that we have Lent! Another hope: Easter is to come soon. Resurrection, Ascension, and another hope: that He will come again soon.
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OUR FIRST BRAZILIAN REGIONAL SUPERIOR During Evening Office on Sunday, February 1, 2015, Sister M. Paula dos Reis Monteiro was installed as the new Superior of our Region of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Brazil. Sister M. Paula is the first Brazilian Sister to be appointed as the Regional Superior. The following commentary was written by Sister M. Socorro, translated and adapted by Sister M. Josefa, and read before Sister M. Paula’s installation ceremony. February 1, 2015 will be forever marked in our hearts. This is a very special day for our entire Congregation and for our Region of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Forty-three years ago, on February 14, 1972, Sister Maria Pacis and Sister M. Henrietta arrived from the United States to begin their life and mission in this land. Bishop Henrique Rüth had asked Mother M. Sixtina to send Sisters to Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil. Since then, German Sisters and American Sisters have pitched their tents in our midst. Following their example of self-giving, young Brazilian women have entered our Congregation in Brazil. Today a Brazilian Sister becomes the Regional Superior of our Mission.
Entrance Procession with Symbols of our Congregation
Sister M. Paula dos Reis Monteiro, daughter of Raimundo Nonato and Raimunda dos Reis Monteiro, is a native of Ipixuna, Amazonas. She entered our Congregation on December 28, 1980, and received the religious habit of our Community on February 2, 1982. On February 2, 1984, she put her life in God's hands through her First Profession of Vows. On February 2, 1988, she consecrated herself to God forever through her Final Profession. Sister M. Paula celebrated her Silver Jubilee on December 28, 2005. (continued on page 4)
Sister M. Paula praying at Mother M. Anselma’s grave 3
OUR FIRST BRAZILIAN REGIONAL SUPERIOR
Bishop Mosé Pontelo said a few words before he gave Sister M. Paula a special blessing.
God has led us to this point (continued from page 3) and He will always lead us. Our Bishop Mosé Pontelo is always present in our midst, and Bishop Emeritus Luis Herbst, who also is part of our history, is at this celebration. Sincere thanks to Sister Maria Pacis, Sister M. Hilda, and Sister M. Ursula who guided our Region for the past 43 years. Bishop Mosé Pontelo blessed We are grate(left to right) Sister M. Mônica, ful to you, Sister M. Paula, for your Second Councilor; Sister M. Paula, Regional Superior; and YES to God. Sister Maria Pacis, First Councilor
Our Sisters honored our former Regional Superiors with roses: (left to right) Sister M. Ursula, Sister Maria Pacis, and Sister M. Hilda 4
LIFE ON MISSION Our second-year novices, (left to right) Sister M. Xavier, Sister Maria Christi, Sister M. Annuntiata, and Sister M. Veritas reflected on their mission experiences.
by Sister Maria Christi
by Sister M. Xavier
My Mission was bringing Christ to others and bringing others to Christ at St. Mary’s Grade School in Alton, Illinois. I taught Religion from Preschool to Third Grade. I had other responsibilities during the school day. Everything was focused on Christ and allowing others to know the great love Christ has for them. At our Provincial House, I had many beautiful examples of how to live religious life through our vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. My Sisters inspired me to spend time with the Lord, which built Community and brought forth the fruits of sisterly love among us. The love of Christ inspired me to delve deeper into gratitude and joy. With these, I hope to live our charism of making Christ’s merciful love visible.
Serving at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC, as sacristan was an honor! The Lord taught me that I can change the world if I allow Him to change me. It does not matter what I am doing; simply that I let Him do it through me. By living through me, He transforms my heart and the world. I saw our Lord’s loving hand guiding everything. I began to see that, no matter what is happening or what I am doing, He wishes to lavish His love upon me. From my heart, He wishes to pour His love upon the world. Many words describe my mission: joyful, adventurous, challenging, fun . . . but only one word sums it up: LOVE!
by Sister M. Veritas
by Sister M. Annuntiata
Serving at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC, was a privilege because performing the works of mercy is always an honor. I worked in the kitchen and personally find this type of service an easy way to share Christ’s merciful love, so this experience was a gift! I am grateful for the ways others inspired me. The Nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, and the priests were witnesses of great love for the Church, even in trying times. The lay people were always happy to serve the Church humbly as housekeepers and maintenance men. Our Sisters showed me how to share Christ’s love through attentiveness to details in order to make someone else’s day better. Each person showed me more about Christ’s love. The greatest lesson I learned is to allow the Lord to be the source of all my love and joy, so I can fulfill any mission He gives me!
I was sent to our Mother of Good Counsel Nursing Home in St. Louis, Missouri for my first five weeks of mission. I had never cared for the elderly and had some anxiety about what my mission would entail. I did a variety of things from yard work and answering phones to blessing the residents at night. Although anyone could have accomplished the tasks I was assigned, I came to realize it is about who I am in Christ, not what I do, which makes all the difference. The rest of my mission I spent at St. Francis Convent in Alton, Illinois, at our Provincial House. I worked as a pharmacist in OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center. Much of my work was hidden as I did not often leave the pharmacy. Recognition and acceptance of my personal poverty was deepened as I worked with Christ, not to accomplish great things, but to do all things in His merciful love. 5
Province News Please pray for those who are ill: Sister Margaret Mary; Sister M. Kateri’s niece, Kathleen Powers; Sister M. Anastasia’s mother, Patricia Maher; Sister M. Theresita’s sister, Karen Cooper; Sister M. Alexandra’s mother, Rita Morrison; Mother M. Regina Pacis’ sister, Anita Coury; Sister M. Elena’s mother, Marcella Coyle; Sister M. Margaret’s mother, Joan Gibbons; Sister M. Juliana’s great-nephew, Jacob Muñoz; Sister M. Mediatrix’s cousin’s daughter, Greta Hinds; Sister Mary Gianna’s father, Lawrence Nazar. Please pray for those who have died and for the consolation of their families: Sister M. Mediatrix’s cousin, Paul Luebbering; Sister M. Isabella’s great-uncle, Frank Knerr; Sister M. Veritas’ aunt, Harriett Ziegler.
Province Calendar March 2015 1
Anniversary of Sister M. Hildegardis’ death (1966)
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Anniversary of Sister M. Annunciate’s death (2011) 1980: Opening of St. Francis Day Care Center
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Mother M. Bonavita’s Nameday (heaven)
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Anniversary of Sister M. Rosalinde’s death (1959)
17 St. Patrick’s Day 1957: Bishop William O’Connor gave us our first Bishop’s Days. 19 Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Namedays: Sister M. Josephine Sister M. Josefa (Brazil) 23 Anniversary of Sister M. Daniele’s death (1967)
Troubadour Editor Sister M. Anne, FSGM Associate Editors Sister M. Kateri, FSGM Sister M. Agnes, FSGM Special Contributors Mother M. Maximilia, FSGM Mother M. Ingeborg, FSGM
25 Solemnity of the Annunciation Namedays: Sister M. Ancilla Sister Marysia Sister M. Immanuela Sister M. Annuntiata 1925: Founding of Saint Anthony’s Hospital 29 Palm Sunday 31 Anniversary of Sister M. Benedictine’s death (1933)
March 2015
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