Ardere etLucere
175 Fall
2014
Mother Carla Bertani, OLS, Superior General Dear Friends, Our foundress, Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, speaking on the founding of our Congregation, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, said, "I believe that what I have done, I have done for the glory of God. Only for the glory of God did I begin the work of the Congregation. God alone founded the Congregation; He alone will keep watch over it.” With these profound words, Blessed Elisabetta, in her humility, recognized that only through God could she have given life to a religious community and that only if the sisters lived their call for the glory of God would her new congregation continue to bear fruit.
You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished! Look to the future, where the Spirit is sending you in order to do even greater things. Saint Pope John Paul II
As the sisters and I reflect on these words, especially this year as we celebrate the Congregation’s 175th year anniversary of our founding, our hearts are filled with gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us over all these years. Through many decades, generation after generation, we have witnessed the unwavering love of God for us through the many events in our lives. Indeed, our Congregation has been in God’s hand, and with our Mother Foundress we can honestly say, “He kept watch over us”. It is with this great sense of gratitude that we remember, reflect, and give thanks to God for his blessings and look forward to the future with hope. As we remember our history, we take comfort and confidence in the words of Saint Pope John Paul II who once said, “You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished! Look to the future, where the Spirit is sending you in order to do even greater things.” In this edition of our newsletter, we are sharing with you the many ways God has blessed us since our founding in 1839. This milestone causes us to pause and celebrate the gift of our charism, given to Blessed Elisabetta for the Church, with joy, trust, and prayer. In addition, this anniversary calls each one of us to renew our commitment and faithfulness to our call. We hope God will continue to bless us with new membership to further our witness of living a consecrated and vowed life dedicated to God. Indeed, our friends and benefactors, who have continued to support us in so many ways, have been a great blessing for our Congregation. We could not have opened many of our schools or carried out many of our ministries without their generosity. They have been the hands of Providence for us! The sisters join me in thanking God for their goodness to the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows and promise to keep them in our prayers. In Our Lady, Mother Carla Bertani, OLS Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
A Gift Diocese
Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Shreveport
Six years ago I arrived as the second Bishop of Shreveport. I am continually surprised that for a small Catholic diocese which numbers at most, 5% of the population, there is an impressive Catholic presence. There are two Catholic hospitals, a Catholic nursing home, and strong Catholic schools, all of which are founded on 40 Catholic Churches, some of which were established over 150 years ago. The Diocese of Shreveport is small in numbers, but the foundation of the Church is deeply rooted in a long, faithful history and the strong faith of the people. One unique shining example of the work of the Church in North Louisiana is seen clearly in Holy Angels Residential Facility founded by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. It first opened in 1965, eighteen years after the sisters arrived in the U.S. from Romagna, Italy. Their consistent and loving care of the needy has been a clear example of the love of Christ and a powerful witness of the value of every human
to our
life. Besides my pride and appreciation for the sisters’ wonderful work, I also have the opportunity to enjoy their joyful community. I suppose with a last name like DUCA, I am drawn to their community because of their origins in Italy which flavors their community life and hospitality. With the moving of their novitiate to the convent in Shreveport I am now also aware of the successful international missionary reach of the community and how these new women from all over the world are committed to the spirituality and ministry established by Blessed Elisabetta Renzi. These sisters preparing for first vows bring a new flavor not only to the community but also to the table when I share a meal with the sisters.
I am privileged to have such a group of committed women religious in the Diocese of Shreveport. It has been my joy to share meals, shoot fireworks and enjoy a New Year’s Eve party at the convent. It has been a wonderful grace especially to pray with the sisters, share their sorrows and to enjoy the enthusiasm of the new sisters in formation. I pray that the Sisters of our Lady of Sorrows will continue to grow, stay true to your foundress’ vision and always be a joyful witness to the loving presence of Christ, first to each other in your community, and then to the people you serve in the Diocese of Shreveport and all over the world.
L to R: Sister Linda Norsworthy, Sister Martinette Rivers, Bishop Duca, Sister Anita Bianchini, Sister Anthony Castellani
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an audacious undertaking Elisabetta Renzi was born into a wealthy religious family on November 19, 1786, in Saludecio, Italy, a town in the region of Romagna near the Adriatic Sea. At an early age, Elisabetta was a virtuous child drawn to piety and reflection. She moved with her family to Mondaino, where she secluded herself in silence and prayer. When she was only nine years old, she made a firm promise always to keep herself pure. Her father, seeing her pious nature, entrusted Elisabetta to the Poor Clares in Mondaino as a boarding student to prepare for her First Communion. Upon receiving the Eucharist, with radiant joy, she told her parents that “from this time her tongue and her soul were worthy of reverence, because they had been sanctified by the touch of Jesus, the soul’s holy spouse.” In 1807, at the age of twenty-one, feeling called to religious life, Elisabetta entered the convent of Augustinians at Pietrarubbia. The monastery was in an isolated location, and Elisabetta embraced the difficult life with much zeal. She wrote to her father, “I have a great desire to do good and to pray constantly, in the house of God, for the glory of God, or rather, for the greater glory of God.” Unfortunately, Elisabetta’s time in the cloister ended as a novice when the convent was closed in 1810 by Napoleonic decree. Elisabetta was forced to return to the home of her parents. It was a struggle for her trying to continue her pursuit for holiness within the secular world. Eventually, she learned of a group of women who were living a common life and providing Christian instruction and moral education for the poor girls of Coriano. She joined them in April of 1824, and soon became the directress of the Conservatory. After so many years of deep dissatisfaction living in the world, Elisabetta once
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
again found joy and strength in her work. The women sought to join the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity, who were also working to educate young girls in more urban areas of Italy. When that did not come about, Elisabetta was encouraged to form a new congregation. She wrote the first rule for the teachers in 1827, the Rule of Life that is Prescribed for the Poor of the Crucified Living in Coriano. She believed that in order to work with the youth in the poor small town, the Poor of the Crucified must possess a spirit of meekness, humility, and poverty themselves, and that they must be united as one in mutual charity and simplicity. On August 22, 1839, after years of difficulties and hard work in continuing the Conservatory’s mission, Elisabetta received canonical approval for a new congregation. The new institute took the name of Maestre Pie dell’Addolorata (Pious Teachers of Our Lady of Sorrows). Elisabetta patiently endured ten years of struggles and revisions with great faithfulness before making her first religious profession, along with her ten companions, on August 29, 1839. Elisabetta expressed, “One of the most marvelous and rarest acts of faith that one can perform in the darkness of exile is that of creating an institute, a religious order.” In time, Elisabetta and the Maestre Pie expanded their ministry of education to other small towns in the region of Romagna. Founding schools that focused on the human and Christian formation of the girls was her aim so as to train skilled future housewives and mothers who would be faithful and virtuous women. Mother Elisabetta used to say, “there is no vacation from the catechism.” The sisters were so successful that soon they were in great demand everywhere, and the Congregation quickly grew in numbers of sisters and throughout Italy. By the age of seventy-three, Elisabetta had lived a life filled with joys and sufferings, a life marked by listening to the call of the Lord, obeying, loving, and serving Him with complete dedication. Elisabetta departed from this earth on August 14, 1859. To those who knew her, a saint had died that day. In 1988, Elisabetta was declared Venerable, and on June 18, 1989, she was beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II.
the miracle:
Sister Agostina Galli
Sister Agostina Galli and Mother Carla Bertani n Coriano, where the remains of Blessed Elisabetta
consecrating her life to God by making her profession, Sister Agostina began to
are found, Sister Agostina Galli happily lived out her
feel sharp pain in her abdomen, accompanied by frequent vomiting, and in very
retirement years. However, it wasn’t always so. On March 7,
little time, she lost over 20 pounds, despite receiving large doses of calcium and
1959, the doctors diagnosed that she only had a few short hours
vitamins. Then came the discouraging diagnosis: tubercular peritonitis. “It’s a
left to live. At 11 a.m. the next morning, as she and the sisters were ardently
shame that one must die so young!” said her physician one day with a tone that
praying to Mother Elisabetta Renzi for a full recovery, she rose from the bed
revealed the seriousness of the illness. The Superiors sent Sister Agostina to her
instantaneously restored to health. This miracle is what paved the way for the
home in Misano Adriatico, in the hope that her native air would benefit her, but
Beatification of Elisabetta Renzi. Years later, she was interviewed about the
from 1941-1948, the troubles continued. Although she was placed in charge of
experience. Sister Agostina turned 96 on August 28, 2013, and went to heaven
the boarding students, she lived in a kind of isolation, prohibited from using the
on March 5, 2014.
common hygienic services, while a nurse was assigned to sleep in her room and
offer constant care.
Agostina Galli, a native of Misano Adriatico, Italy, entered the Congregation
of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows in January 1935. Two years later, while
she was serving in the community in Cattolica, her health began to decline.
addition to the pains in her abdomen and the vomiting that had become more
She continued to battle running fever, lack of appetite, and weight loss. By the
frequent, along with the fever and loss of appetite that had reduced her to mere
summer of 1938, when she should have made her First Vows of Temporary
skin and bones. Cardiovascular complications also appeared, and Sister Agostina
Profession, she was not given the permission to do so because of her poor
was forced to bed. She could only tolerate a liquid diet.
health. An examination in September showed that she had bilateral dry pleurisy.
After a slight improvement that allowed her to realize her dream of
Her condition worsened in 1953, when she began to battle violent colic, in
It was in 1959 that her condition took an extraordinary turn. The peritonitis
had worsened and the doctors did not leave much hope for Sister Agostina.
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So she received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction & Viaticum on February
not doing anything.’ I
25, while she was on oxygen to help her breathe. “Despite everything,”
remember that I raised
Sister Agostina said, “I was convinced I wasn’t going to die. I turned to our
my hand in front of her
Mother Foundress because it was the year of the 100th anniversary of her
and said, ‘No Mother, I
death, and I also told my sisters to pray to her as well, and only to her, not
want it from our Mother
to any other intercessor.”
Foundress.’ Really, I said
On March 7, Doctor Guido Rossi visited her, shaking his head. For him, the
it this way, with a certain
case had been closed. “My body was finished,” said Sister Agostina, “my
assuredness. I want it
senses were weakened, I could barely hear and I almost couldn’t see anything.
from her, I want her,
Nevertheless, I felt that my end was still a long way off…”
I want her.’ At about
11:15, I suddenly got up
She was convinced that she would recover. “Yes,” she confirmed, “because I
didn’t want to die and I insisted that our Mother Foundress go to Jesus because
and sat on the bed. Then,
it was He who would heal me. And I told her that the miracle I was asking for
getting up, I looked
was not for myself, for my own interests and satisfaction, but so that I could
out the window and
continue to work for my Congregation and give glory to God and to her. I
saw a group of children
had already received the Last Rites, my relatives had been called, and I waited
from the school with a
for the bells to sound from the parish church in my town, as they do when
sister that I recognized.
someone enters their final agony. On March 7, 1959, they were all there with
My sister, who was
me in my room in the infirmary, the priest, my superior, many sisters, and they
helping me, had gone to
W
“
hen I asked for the grace of my recovery, I did it for two reasons: first of all, for the glory of our foundress, who always wanted to remain in humility; and then, for the conversion of a person who weighed heavy on my heart.”
the director, and when she saw me, she said, ‘Agostina, be obedient and go back to bed.’ Since for many days before my fever had been between 100-102 degrees, she thought I was delirious. I returned to bed, but remained seated. Then I moved to an armchair that was in the corner of the room. I said, ‘Why must I stay in the bed? I am healed!’ But the others insisted and since I have always been obedient, I reclined, but remained seated and asked, ‘Now, will you not give me something to eat?’ ‘By now,’ they responded, ‘everything has been eaten, there is only a little left.’ And I said, ‘It doesn’t matter, even if it’s only a little, bring it to me.’ They gave me a little soup, and I ate it in an instant. I asked if there was more, but they said no. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ I said, ‘I will eat in the days to come.’ Then I asked them to leave me, saying that I wanted to rest. They all left, but I would see that they would sometimes open the door to look in and check on how I was doing. I didn’t sleep, however; I wanted to thank the Lord for the great gift that he had given me.’ After a little while, Doctor Rossi arrived, assuming that he had been called to sign the death certificate. “He visited me,” Sister Agostina recalls, “and all of a sudden, he asked me, ‘Sister Agostina, who came and told you to get up and walk around?’ To that, I responded, ‘Someone from above came.’ He told me to be good and added, ‘For me, there is no longer any signs of the sickness that Sister Laura Bertani and Sister Agostina Galli were waiting for the moment. But I said, ‘No, no, Jesus…. you perform this
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was there before. I will come again on Wednesday, let us wait and you stay in bed until Wednesday afternoon. We will see if the conditions are stable.’ Then I returned to my prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus. The following
miracle through the intercession of Mother Foundress.’ Also present was the
morning, I didn’t stay in bed, though; I went to the chapel, but I stayed in the
Superior General at the time, Mother Zita Renzi, who at a certain moment
choir area not to provoke confusion. I feared that the sisters would mistake
told me, ‘Agostina, we are going to pray to another saint, Mother Elisabetta is
me for a ghost because there were only a few sisters who had seen me recover.
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Following the Mass, I returned to the infirmary. The next Wednesday, the doctor
came as I was going down the staircase heading into the courtyard for a stroll.
another miracle that would lead to the canonization of Mother Elisabetta: “I
After having climbed back up the stairs with me, he exclaimed, ‘We are here!’
always pray for this,” she said, “day and night, because I sleep very little and I
have the time to do so. ‘We want you to be a saint,” I say to the Foundress. In
I then resumed my life with my community and never stopped thanking
Now in the Congregation, Sister Agostina led a kind of crusade to ask for
Mother Foundress for the grace I received. So many medical records were
addition, I offer all of my sufferings for the Church, for the Pope who retired and
submitted to be reviewed by different specialists, even outside of Rimini, but
for the one who succeeded him, for our bishop, for the priests, the missionaries,
they all confirmed the healing. Then I was sent to the mountains for a month,
and I ask Jesus to send numerous, holy vocations for our religious family.
and upon my return, I was placed in charge of the boarding students at the
Unfortunately, now my sight has weakened and I can’t read anymore. When I
house in Rimini. After about a year, I was named the superior of the community
was young, I read the life of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus thirteen times, and that
in Rimini, where there were ninety sisters. Subsequently, I was sent to various
of St. Gemma Galgani, and many other saints. But I don’t complain; I have more
houses where I have always worked without ever getting sick.”
time to be devoted to prayer now.”
And here, the miracle took a curious note: “When I asked for the grace of
my recovery,” Sister Agostina affirms, “I did it for two reasons: first of all, for the glory of our Foundress, who always wanted to remain in humility; and then, for the conversion of a person who weighed heavy on my heart, a certain Serafino who lived not too far from our house in a region called ‘Zeppa’. He was a vagabond and an alcoholic, who hadn’t attended church for about fifty years; rather, he hated priests to the point that if he passed one, or a sister, he would swear and curse. He had great respect for my mother who generously helped without judging him for his anticlerical ideas. When she died, he got on his knees in front of her casket and cried. Upon hearing about my recovery, he was very happy, and seeing me return home for a brief visit, he exclaimed, ‘You say…you say…but it is true that there is Someone up there that thinks about us!” Something was evidently changing inside of him, and for Easter, I sent him a card which had Jesus the Good Shepherd rescuing a lamb caught among the thorns. When he received it, he called his wife and told her, ‘Erminia, look at what Sister Agostina sent me: this lamb entangled in the thorns is me… the sinner!’ Shortly after, he got sick and a priest was called; he went to confession and received communion. It was a true conversion. The double miracle had ended.”
The news of her sudden recovery traveled quickly
through all the houses of the Congregation. For about two years, the students in the schools of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, came to see Sister Agostina. Many wrote to her asking for the intercession of Mother Elisabetta. The visits continued until her death, and all asked her to pray to the foundress for their illnesses, their misfortunes, and their difficulties in their families: “I bring them all to the Lord,” confirmed Sister Agostina, “and to our Blessed Mother Elisabetta.”
Seated L to R: Sister Agostina Galli, Sister Mavis Champagne. Standing L to R: Mother Carla Bertani, Sister Johnnette Brocato
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From Coriano to the World
Mother Elisabetta’s life is no ordinary story. Her life is a story of trust and courage that one encounters when one loves God and places one’s life unreservedly in His hands. It is because of this trust in God that the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows were founded in Italy in 1839. Our Mother has continued to guide us as our Congregation has continued to step
out in faith to establish new missions
USA Louisiana: Shreveport, Alexandria, Moreauville, Lafayette New Mexico: Las Cruces
with a commitment to “witnessing in the world to the enduring presence of the preferential love of Christ for the young, the poor, the weak, and the needy.”
MEXICO
Guadalajara Navojoa Obregon Sicuicho Tepatitlan
“I believe that what I have done, I have done for the glory of God. Only for the glory of God did I begin the work of the Congregation. God alone founded the Congregation; He alone will keep watch over it.” Blessed Elisabetta Renzi 7
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
“A Great History Still to be Accomplished� Saint Pope John Paul II
ITALY Bettola Bologna Carpegna Cattolica Coriano Gatteo
Ginestreto Mondaino Montefiore Novafeltria Pesaro Riccione
Rimini Roma Roncofreddo San Giovanni in Marignano San Giovanni Rotondo
San Marino Santermete Savignano Tavoleto Urbania
Coriano
BANGLADESH Dhaka Rajshahi
BRAZIL
Canto Do Buriti Colinas Fortaleza Maracanau Messejana Timon
ZIMBABWE Chegutu Mondoro
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USA
Standing on their Called by Bishop Charles P. Greco, Bishop of Alexandria, Mother Zita Verni, Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, arrived in Louisiana on October 23, 1947, in Moreauville, accompanied by thirteen sisters: Sister Santina Vincenzi, Sister Martina Bernabe, Sister Annunziata Columbini, Sister Mary Muccioli, Sister Catherine Palazzi, Sister Angelina Fellini, Sister Helen Marcantognini, Sister Mary Bacchielli, Sister Natalie Urbinati, Sister Antoinette Baroncini, Sister
“yes” to God’s call to mission. As Sister Helen Marcantognini once recalled, “It was an adventure, but it was not an easy thing to do.” Sister Martina Bernabe agreed, “It was not easy to leave your parents, brothers and sisters, and your country.” Even with the difficulties, though, there was joy in this new chapter of their lives. As Sister Mary Bacchielli would recall, “I was like a bird that cut his strings and left the nest. That was my dream!” After 11 days of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, they boarded a train, then a school bus, and eventually arrived in Moreauville, Louisiana.
Lucy Canini, and Sister Rose Mini.
After such a trip, the sisters remember asking, “Lord, where are we
It was in 1947 that these thirteen pioneers said goodbye to their
tried to settle in. Although they were given a house to live in, they
beloved Italy, not knowing when or if they would see their families again, nor knowing in what kind of place they were going to serve. But with a profound faith and the support of each other, they said
going?” In the beginning, they confronted difficult situations as they had to face great sacrifices to improve the poor material conditions in which they found themselves. In addition, they faced the challenges of getting used to the climate, learning English, and adapting to the customs and life of the people. They were quite poor and had to rely on the assistance of the parishioners to help. However, despite the struggles, the sisters brought with them so much love and dedication, that they quickly won the people over. They had courageously accepted this mission, and through their selfless
Top Row, l-r: Sister Martina Bernabe, Sister Annunziata Columbini, Sister Zita Renzi, Sister Mary Muccioli, Sister Catherine Palazzi, Sister Angelina Fellini Bottom Row, l-r: Sister Helen Marcantognini, Sister Mary Bacchielli, Sister Natalie Urbinati, Mother Santina Vincenzi, Sister Antoinette Baroncini, Sister Lucy Canini, Sister Rose Mini
gift, they witnessed to God’s power to accomplish great things through simple and humble hearts, as well as to the joy that comes from serving the Lord unreservedly.
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Sister Natalie
Sister Helen
Sister Angelina
Sister Antoinette
Sister Catherine
Sister Martina
Sister Santina
Sister Rose
Sister Mary
Sister Lucy
Sister Mary
Sister Zita
Bishop Charles P. Greco, Bishop of Alexandria with three of the thirteen Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, at Saint Mary’s Training School in Clarks, Louisiana.
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USA
A History of love and sacrifice As soon as they arrived in Louisiana, they joined the mission priest in Moreauville, where they began teaching at Our Lady of Sorrows School, despite knowing no English. Somehow, they were able to communicate with the children, and most of their English training was done on the job. Their impact at this first mission is remembered fondly by their students. As one recalled, “They were brilliant women; they had dedication and love, and they looked at us as being able to learn whatever they could teach. The Sisters never underestimated our ability to learn.” As their mission expanded, four sisters were appointed to work at the John Bosco Home for boys in Cottonport, where they became surrogate mothers for these children, most of whom were from troubled or broken homes. Even though the conditions of life were quite difficult, accentuated by the constant scarcity of food and the poor quality of the water, they were comforted by a deep serenity having their Mother General with them during their first few months. She shared with them both the joys and the uncertainties of their first experiences in the missionary life. She remained with them until July 1948. In the fall of that year, they were joined by two more sisters, and in 1949, two more schools were opened for the African American children, one in Pineville and one in Cottonport. At that time schools in Louisiana were racially segregated. As grade levels were added at these schools, the increasing number of students and the ever-growing needs of the school meant that more sisters were needed to help in the mission. In 1951, six more sisters came from Italy to continue this commitment of education to children.
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Seeing the sisters’ motherly care and affection for the children they taught, Bishop Greco asked them to help address another need he saw, the lack of care for the mentally handicapped. He firmly believed that to live in an atmosphere of happiness is the right of every child. So, accepting this new mission, the sisters helped to open Saint Mary’s Training Institute in 1954, a special boarding school for handicapped children, in Clarks, Louisiana. Although there were many difficulties because of their lack of preparation for undertaking such a work, the sisters wholeheartedly committed themselves to the task of caring for these children and teaching them the simplest skills. At the start, they began with just a few children, but that quickly changed as word spread of the new facility. Within a couple of years, the four sisters assigned to this ministry had enrolled over 150 children in
the school, a mighty undertaking indeed! In 1974, because Clarks was such a remote location, Saint Mary’s Training School was moved to Alexandria. The sisters gained the help of the U.S. Air Force to make the move. The new location was much larger and better equipped, and the sisters raised these special children as mothers would raise their own children.
School in Bossier City, Louisiana. Bishop Greco then entrusted the school to the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. The sisters remained in this school as teachers until 1987 when the Congregation was no longer able to staff it.
In 1965, a second school for handicapped children, Holy Angels Residential Facility, was opened in Shreveport because St. Mary’s was In the 1960’s, desegregation occurred, filled to capacity. Th e ol der an d higher and there was no longer a need for a functioning residents, as well as the separate school for African American infants were sent to Holy Angels. More children. So, reading the signs of the sisters had been sent from Italy to help times, the sisters switched their focus with this ministry, and they were added to providing a Catholic education to the staff to supervise a nd to teach for all, regardless of race or financial the children there. With this additional status. Their presence in the schools meant that their students were being school, the sisters were able to care taught Gospel values in the spirit of for the mentally handicapped from their foundress, Elisabetta Renzi. In the “cradle to the grave.” Parents of “They were brilliant women; 1961, a new Catholic school called these special children considered it Holy Rosary opened in Shreveport a blessing. The love that the sisters they had dedication and that was in need of teachers. The showed for their children was so sisters were invited by the Pastor to evident to them. In working with the love, and they looked at us as help staff that school. Over time, the children, Sister Concetta Scipione being able to learn whatever school became widely known for the described the attitude of the sisters as quality of its teaching and its modern such, “You see a person; you don’t see they could teach. The Sisters approach to education, and the sisters that they can do this or can’t do remained until the school was closed that. You don’t see that anymore. never underestimated our by the diocese in 2001. You just treat them as a person. And really, I loved them – very ability to learn.” In 1963, the Daughters of the Cross much.” After serving at Holy Angels for had to leave Sacred Heart School almost 50 years, the sisters chose to in Moreauville due to a shortage of leave the facility in the hands of the sisters. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows took over instruction, due to shortage of personnel. dedicated lay staff this year teaching at two schools in Moreauville until Our Lady of Sorrows School was closed with integration in 1969. The sisters In 1980, a piece of land was given to the Congregation near Holy are still ministering at Sacred Heart today. The goal of Mother Angels in Shreveport for the construction of a central house Elisabetta was to make education available even to the poor, and and novitiate for the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. This house the sisters remain true to that vision. was blessed and dedicated on July 10, 1984. It still serves as the Motherhouse for the sisters today. In 1968, the Daughters of the Cross had to leave Christ the King
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As the children at Saint Mary’s grew beyond school age, there was a need for an alternative place for them to go where they could learn more independence, responsibility, and sharing. To meet this need, the sisters opened three community homes in Alexandria, beginning in 1991. That same year, 1991, the sisters also opened the Elisabetta Renzi Child Development Center in Shreveport to offer early childhood education for families in the area. The sisters have established one of the premier child development facilities in Shreveport, which is filled to capacity and has a waiting list for admission. The Center provides a well-designed curriculum, carefully structured around the needs and abilities of the different age groups. Seeing the need for a program in an inner city neighborhood of Shreveport, the sisters opened the Renzi Education and Art Center in 1997. This program offers an afterschool program to the less fortunate in the neighborhood. It gives these children the opportunity to receive academic support, as well as artistic instruction from local artists and musicians. The Center serves 60 children daily throughout the school year. In 2004, after several years of discernment, the sisters decided to open a community outside of the dioceses of Alexandria and Shreveport. They were invited by Our Lady of Wisdom Parish
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
on the campus of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette to be a presence in the parish. Since then, the sisters have become actively involved in parish ministry there, inspiring young college students to discern their own call in following the Lord. God recently opened another door for the sisters to embark on a new missionary opportunity. The sisters were invited to work in a small Catholic school in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Like those first pioneer sisters, realizing that it would require much sacrifice from the dwindling group in Louisiana, the sisters have placed their trust in Divine Providence and have chosen to accept the invitation, opening this new community in July 2014. It is the mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows to witness to the enduring presence of the preferential love of Christ to the young, the poor, the weak, and the needy. As long as these are present in our society, the sisters will strive to meet the need and follow wherever the Lord sends us.
Long Time Friend’s Reflection
was that she g she said n e h w 76, alon i z na in 19 ia etta Ren b is a u s o li L E ort, sed er s of Bles Shrevep to a bett the word d south e boat” to f e tl o d it a d “l e e y h d dm min s, we too, saile n, I am re Arkansa ok her. I, reflectio unity in to is m e th m c o n e c e it r small I was Provid own to w ! From a School. herever As I sit d Rosary d books r boat w n e ly a h o e il r Anita H p a t o s ed to ith Siste sition a full of h w o r p a d c a te a d in d determin qua ur cure Ron an soon se come ac tion of O husband ng to be director, ongrega lo ir C o e e h with my m c th e f t/ k o ’t ta ters rganis y. It didn hurch o i – all sis every da life. ho is a c risa Ricc a w re , e ving M n th o r R g te rivin years, lo d Sis band ay and d My hus ld for 18 ccioli, an e w iu h a I s G e n tail, a il d io 0m . ister E on to de a posit school 5 l, as well osary – tellani, S s’ attenti o s r R o a te h ly C is c o s s y teaching H e n e a family arts at – in th Antho ic at th nguage i, Sister ere truly ked like ght mus la o w in u e lo h e ta d c n w a e n r o h – g ia B se my ort dicati ighth s, becau more of Shrevep e and de venth/e Sorrow to share other in true lov ching se d o t a a n te h te e n k a w Lady of li rk e w o s to se l wa that I e years ent to w e I came ur schoo decided s over th r O m I . , ti te n Soon, I w t fe is o a li s o y r th S e it g un oth nds. it! Durin w many ily comm close frie inute of rk! their da e to kno them as m in a , w c n o every m I n . re their wo k !) d a appy in Marisa ame to h c r f the chil I o te . re s e e is r suffered v S w , te lo y u early. He nd the in their of the sis hank yo A ly . e e (t c d with c m e n li e e o rk s tr y wo rn ex he came n Cath of the pre hard the o was bo a Roma e home, h w e m o w a because h m c – a h l y c u it ll e ith dIb en Pa e fina sed w gic and w – Steph them an When h s impres emi-pela life with nly child er birth. as alway h o ft s a w d a I s aul. n ; d a th ll t se a n x mo ur firs iagno care of P ed them ital for si d I had o nd was d and take n a sp b a o and I lov re jo d h a n y c e a m h th muc keep ed in my husb help me quired so d remain In 1985, k. He re t us and turity an r n a o ta p m of p n re e su g p ort to an oxy thinking ue to his every eff at I was itor, and e n stroke d th d o a rd m tor. m a t e r hea had h ck. m Direc e sisters g tube, a said she r give ba e Progra times, th e e v g th h e s S in . a y a feedin ld ls u tr ls e d Ang Ange we co rough I accepte at Holy to Holy ore than palsy. Th of Paul – coming Scipione much m re cerebral a a in – tt c d re e h e c c te k n s u w m lives e rt to ta ter Co e intere them so and our from Sis of suppo might b ls s ll I e a n g if c a n We owe e a w A m d o our Holy to kn I receive ident at improve wanted In 1994, me a res eded to and she a e c n ld e e e b e fi l w u g t a son P r lives. W new tha e teachin 005, our ws in ou 2 y, but I k ro r r a leaving th In o s . S o n f R ly spread ady o t decisio leave Ho daily, we of Our L tted tha s r m re e te g th is re S r I hated to r od fo of the ve neve y. thank G . resence ion. I ha ur famil e sisters em. We by the p s th th r the posit f d a o e n y e a s part of o 8 d u 3 o a re r c a G e fo y y b e b d s se s. Th e to u again een bles y need u blessed has com I have b ere if the ur lives o th e in b Ron and d s o y lwa ing go we will a everyth ers that e go, and w th o re ll e te h eryw often work ev s of their w e n e th ly, Sincere
der i r C y r r e h S
Sister Concetta
Sister Marisa
Sister Anita (l) and Sister Anthony (r)
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P assion for Catholic
Our
Education
"Ardere et Lucere"
burn and to light, characterizes the
mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. This is expressed in its contemplative life in apostolic action, with a special emphasis on education, carried out in a spirit of collaboration and communion with the Church. To educate children and youth and to keep them from danger was a great passion
of our foundress, Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, and the principle aim of the work to which she dedicated herself through many sacrifices. She established schools for girls and made sure that nothing was lacking for the students to be able to grow sound in spirit and body. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows inherited much of their teaching style and philosophy from her. The call to educate as our foundress did remains at the core of who we are as we strive to instill Gospel values in our students. We are committed to educating students at all levels to discover God and the values of the spirit so that they may seek a vision of the world in accord with the Gospel. At the heart of Catholic education is the Person of Jesus Christ. As daughters of the Church, we strive to present Christ to our students as the model and example of life. “The schools of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows place Jesus at the center of their Christian, cultural, and human search for truth. They provide a complete intellectual formation of the students and the nurturing of virtues that will shape and accustom them to living the new life in Christ, and to work with Him to build up the Kingdom of God.�
Constitutions of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Let the Little Children Come to Me; the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Lk. 18:16
The blessing of a rabbi upon young children was the desire of every Jewish mother. Luke tells us that Jesus and his disciples were going toward Jerusalem and the disciples were concerned about Jesus being disturbed and bothered by the little children. But Jesus asked them to allow the children to come to Him. What does Jesus love about children? Their life is enveloped with a sense of wonder founded on trust. These are the characteristics of being childlike that Jesus teaches us and invites us to embrace. The Sisters of our Lady of Sorrows responded to the “urgent universal right of education� as expressed in Gravissimum Educationis by establishing ministries that educate children. One of these ministries is the Elisabetta Renzi Child Development Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. The center provides a loving, caring, and Catholic environment for children. As a result, Gospel values play a big role in the life of the Center. This is what makes the school unique. Following in the footsteps of our foundress Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, we continue to make education and formation for the young our goal.
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Mexico The mission in Mexico was opened in 1980 by Mother Luisa Falsetti. Through education and catechesis, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows continue to touch the lives of those they are called to serve. In Tepatitlan, Sonora, and Navojoa, the sisters run three orphanages. In Mexico, the sisters are present in Guadalajara, Navojoa, Obregon, Sicuicho, and Tepatitlan.
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Brazil
During Mother Luisa Falsetti’s term as Superior General for the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows from 1981 to 1993, she opened three of our missions. Brazil was one of those missions. The sisters are present in Timon, Colinas, Maracanau, Messejana, and Fortaleza where they spread the charism of Mother Elisabetta in education, catechism, and running orphanages,
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Bangladesh The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows have been in Bangladesh since 1988. The Lord has continued to bless us with many opportunities to be witnesses of God’s love to all and to serve our brothers and sisters. Today, the sisters are present in Dhaka and Rajshahi.
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Zimbabwe
The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows have been in Zimbabwe since 1993. The schools of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows place Jesus at the center of their Christian, cultural, and human search for truth. They provide a complete intellectual formation of the students and the nurturing of virtues that will shape and accustom them to living the new life in Christ, and to work with him to build up the Kingdom of God.
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International Formators’ Meeting in Rome Every two years the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows involved in formation meet in Rome at our Motherhouse for the international formators’ meeting. While the Sisters were in Rome, they took an opportunity to go to St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s audience and the Pope’s private Mass.
Jubilee BLESSINGS
the joy of fidelity:
It is inspirational to celebrate 25 years and 50 years of fidelity to Religious Life. During the summer, Sister Maria Cristina (left), and Sister Gemma (right),
Sister Margaret (center) celebrated many years of faithfulness to God’s call. Sister Cristina and Sister Margaret celebrated 25 years and Sister Gemma 50 years.
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
new community:
Las Cruces Saint Pope John Paul II called the Church to “open wide the doors to Christ!� This is a call to trust God and to allow Him to do great things through us. In 2014, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows stepped out in faith to open a new community in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Since 1947, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows have been present in America, only in Louisiana. This challenge of establishing a new community fills us with great trust in God who has provided for us from the beginning of our foundation. We entrust this new community to our Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, our foundress who reminds us that all is done for the glory of God and that God will keep watch over us.
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“He alone has founded the Congregation; He alone will keep watch over it. I didn’t do anything! I have done nothing but to undo his work. Let us love our good God! I,in the blessedness that I hope to reach through his goodness and mercy; you, still among humiliations and struggles. Pray for me! Goodbye, beloved daughters; be generous with the Lord. I carry all of you in my heart and I bless you. We will see each other up there in heaven . . . up there. . . And from up there I will tell you again to be grateful to the Lord. Let your faithfulness be your thanksgiving, since the more you receive, the more God will ask of you my daughters.”
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Blessed Elisabetta Renzi