Ardere et Lucere Behold, Your Mother! John 19: 26-27
FALL
2018
The grieving Mother stood weeping beside the cross where her Son was hanging. - The Stabat Mater
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nd this is our hope. We are not orphans, we have Mothers: Mother Mary. But the Church is Mother and the Mother Church is anointed when it takes the same path of Jesus and Mary: the path of obedience, the path of suffering, and when she has that attitude of continually learning the path of the Lord. These two women -Mary and the Churchcarry on the hope that is Christ, they give us Christ, they bring forth Christ in us. Without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ; without the Church, we cannot go forward. - Pope Francis 1
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Dear Friends,
“The grieving Mother stood weeping beside the cross where her Son was hanging.� Blessed Jacopone of Todi wrote these words at the beginning of the Stabat Mater in the thirteenth century. It is a powerful meditation on the suffering mother of Jesus, Mary Most Sorrowful, who was present at the passion and crucifixion of her son. The words of the Stabat Mater, a prayer commonly used during the Stations of the Cross, celebrate the strength, faith, and steadfastness of Mary in the most difficult time of her life, and they challenge us to unite ourselves to her, as we too share in the sufferings of Jesus. Blessed Elisabetta, our Foundress, lived the devotions of the Church in the nineteenth century and saw in Mary Most Sorrowful the best example of how to be united to Jesus Crucified, the love of her life.
She found in Mary, standing at the foot of the cross, a companion on the journey. perseverance for her. Throughout Elisabetta’s life, she knew much suffering, and Mary of Sorrows was an example of endurance and Her devotion to the sorrows of Mary led her to entrust the Congregation to the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows, in contrast to the times, when many religious communities were named after their founders. Blessed Elisabetta wanted us, her daughters, to learn from Mary to become “women of strength, standing in faith and love, particularly in times of darkness and suffering. … Mary’s contemplative silence, her humility, hidden, and constant activity in the simple life in Nazareth are the basis of our growth.” (Congregation Constitutions) Today, the Church continues to suffer in the world in the flesh of her children who are neglected, abused, mistreated, because of greed, selfishness, and thirst for power. Indeed, it seems that we are living in dark times, but Mary Most Sorrowful comes to our aid by leading us through these dark hours, interceding for us with the grace to ‘stay’ under our daily crosses as she did, with the unfailing hope of Jesus’ resurrection! For all these sufferings, for the needs of the whole Church and of the world, we know that “At the foot of the cross, at the supreme hour of the new creation, Christ led us to Mary. He brought us to her because he did not want us to journey without a mother, and our people read in this maternal image all the mysteries of the Gospel. The Lord did not want to leave the Church without this icon of womanhood. Mary, who brought him into the world with great faith, also accompanies the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 285)
Dear Friends, I leave you with the consoling words of Mother Elisabetta: “To belong completely to God, it is necessary to suffer much every day… Happiness comes after trials and God measures the happiness according to the greatness of the sacrifice. If you were alone, I would be the first to fear, since of ourselves we have nothing but weakness, powerlessness and misery, but our Lord is with you from morning to evening and from evening to morning!” We are not alone then; the Good Lord is with us and His Mother Mary leads us by the hand. My sisters and I keep all of you in our prayers daily.
Mother Carla Bertani, OLS Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
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OUR SPIRITUALITY
It is from Mary, as Our Lady of Sorrows, that we learn to be women of strength, standing in faith and love, particularly in times of darkness and suffering, as she did at the foot of the cross. - From the Constitutions of the Congregation 3
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Mary of Sorrows Our Teacher Model and
by Sr. Serena, OLS
“Convinced that the Alleluia dwells beyond Calvary, we do not back away from the Cross.” These words, contained in the Charism Core Values document of our Congregation, lead us to Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, patroness of the Congregation since the very beginnings. In fact, in 1825, Elisabetta Renzi and her companions, who were dedicated. Today the education of young girls in the small town of Coriano (Italy), placed themselves under the protection of the Sorrowful Mother, to whom the chapel was dedicated.
she is called to respond with faith and courage to many unforeseen and painful events. It was not easy for her to say “yes” to the angel who was calling her to a future that for her was unknown and uncertain. The “yes” of the Annunciation was only the first in a long series of obedient responses to God by Mary during her life, an obedience she never refused. Pope Francis reminds us that “Mary appears in the Gospels as a silent woman, who often does not understand all that is happening around her, but who contemplates each word and each event in her Today, it may seem a bit out heart. She is not a woman of place to talk about the who is depressed by the Cross, about suffering, and uncertainties of of Mary Most Sorrowful. No life, especially when one desires to suffer, and we nothing seems to be do not find any pleasure in going the right way. Nor is suffering. Though the human she a woman who protests person was not created to suffer, violently, who curses life’s fate, - Bl. Elisabetta Renzi each one of us knows that suffering which often shows us a hostile is a necessary part of life. Mary walks face. She is instead a woman who with us on this journey, and as a true educator, listens. Mary welcomes life as it is conveyed she does not remove the struggles from our lives, to us, with its happy days, but also with its tragedies but teaches us with her example that suffering can that we would rather not have met. Until the supreme be dealt with and lived with dignity. It is actually an night, when her Son is nailed to the wood of the cross.” opportunity for growth, an occasion to mature and (Pope Francis) It is precisely at that moment that Mary fully live “the Alleluia” in this life. For these times, the returns to being the silent presence in the Gospels, Sorrowful Mother is for all of us a companion and when everybody else had left the scene because of a model, and we find in her life journey signs of our disillusionment or fear. Mary is a mother who does own. From the time Mary appears in the Gospels, not betray nor abandon her Son at moment
"Convinced that the Alleluia dwells beyond Calvary, we do not back away from the Cross."
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of difficulty. Mary is faithfully present, even when she can do nothing other than embrace her Son. This way of seeing Mary, as attentive and near human suffering, has always encouraged in the faithful of all ages a loving devotion to her. She is seen as one who helps and guides each person in accepting suffering and the inevitable sorrows of life. She, the Mother who was pierced by the sword of sorrows, “teaches us the virtue of waiting, even when everything seems to lack meaning: she is ever confident in the mystery of God, even when he seems to have eclipsed himself.” (Pope Francis)
M ary teaches us
the virtue of waiting, even when everything seems to lack meaning: she is ever confident in the mystery of God, even when he seems to have eclipsed himself. - Pope Francis 5
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
In fact, we all need to know that we can count on someone who will not abandon us when we feel all alone. For this reason, the popular devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows dates back many years, to the end of the first millennium. The spiritual movement of that time reserved a particular veneration for the humanity of Jesus, especially seen in the mystery of his suffering and death. Near him, at the foot of the Cross, in her sorrow, Mary was present as an example of faith and hope, waiting for the Resurrection. In the fourteenth century, the practice of remembering the “Seven Sorrows” of the Virgin Mary began, with the recollection of seven episodes from the Gospel: the prophecy of Simeon (Lk 2: 34-35), the flight into Egypt (Mt 2: 13-14), the loss of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 2: 43-50), the meeting of Mary with Jesus on the way to Calvary (Lk 23: 26-27), Mary under the cross (Jn 19: 25-27), the lowering of Jesus’ body into Mary’s arms - the Pieta (Mt 27: 57-59), and the burial of Jesus (Jn 19: 40-42). The number “seven” was probably also used to remember the “Seven Joys of Mary”, a devotional practiced during the Middle Ages, in which the joys of Mary were remembered: the joy of the Annunciation and of the visit to her cousin Elizabeth, the joy for the birth of Jesus, the visit from the three Kings and the finding of Jesus in
the Temple, the joy of the Resurrection and of the Ascension in heaven. New devotions to remember Mary in her seven Sorrows began as far back as the seventeenth century, such as the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and the Via Matris. The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows remembers the sorrows of Mary through seven repetitions of the Our Father and seven Hail Mary’s. This practice was a daily devotion, structured like the rosary. It is interesting to remember that whoever prayed this rosary, did it daily as a sign of entrusting oneself and his/her everyday struggles to Mary in her sorrows. The Via Matris, instead, was modeled on the well-known practice of the Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross. In olden times, it was prayed as a pilgrimage characterized by seven “stops” corresponding to the seven main sorrowful events that Mary lived in union with her Son. The devotion to the seven sorrows of Mary is part of our spiritual heritage as Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows: still today in our communities, we pray weekly the seven sorrows of Mary with the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and the Via Matris. In the logo of our Congregation, this union with Mary Most Sorrowful is depicted by the heart at the center of the logo pierced by a sword, which reminds us of the heart of Mary pierced by the sword of sorrow. For us, Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary at the foot of the Cross teaches us to stay near Jesus, who is still being crucified today in those who suffer, in the poor, and in those who are alone. We choose to stay with her at the foot of all the many crosses we encounter, in order to bring comfort to our brothers and sisters, and to teach them with our example that the Alleluia dwells beyond every Cross, beyond every Calvary. By remembering the faith journey of Mary Most Sorrowful, we are strengthened
and are able to “stay” in every situation of life with perseverance, courage, and love. And when we feel discouraged or tired, the Virgin Mother will support us, as she did her Son; she will not abandon us, but will remain with us under whatever cross we endure, until the end, until she receives us in her arms.
Mary appears in the
Gospels as a silent woman, who often does not understand all that is happening around her, but who contemplates each word and each event in her heart. She is not a woman who is depressed by the uncertainties of life, especially when nothing seems to be going the right way. - Pope Francis
Sr. Serena, OLS www.ols.org
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T he Seven Sor
Traditionally, seven sorrows of Mary
are recognized. They are rooted in stories from the Gospel narratives. They focus on events and experiences in Mary's life that were difficult and painful, giving her a direct share in the Paschal Mystery of her son.
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The Prophecy of Simeon
Taken from the Seven Sorrows of Mary by Br. Joel Giallanza, C.S.C
Mary's response to her sorrows is a guide for us in our own spiritual life. Like Mary, we will encounter the cross. If we choose to follow Jesus, there is no other way. The road to new life goes through the cross.
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The Meeting of Jesus and Mary Mary accompanies Jesus on a journey from life to death. Unlike the trip to Egypt, Mary cannot protect Jesus now. Nevertheless, she stays with him; where else would she be? Mary accompanied Jesus on other journeys during his life; now she accompanies her son, regardless of what lies ahead. 7
Simeon's prophecy gives Mary a glimpse into the meaning of life for all those who are committed to the spiritual life, for living and working and loving as Jesus did. Such a commitment situates us at the cutting edge of life and death, truth and falsehood, passion and apathy.
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
The Crucifixion This sorrow brings Mary to this place on a hill where humanity's salvation is accomplished through the death of her son. She stands, watches, listens, and even participates insofar as any mother suffers acutely at witnessing the death of her child. Mary's example demonstrates decision over despair, patience over passivity, strength over stoicism.
rrows M ary of
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The Flight Into Eqypt
The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
The second of Mary's sorrows has taken her on a journey from death to life. Mary demonstrates that an intimate union with Jesus is intrinsic to progress in the spiritual life. The journey from potential death will have to be made if we value our spiritual lives.
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In this sorrow, Mary is challenged to recognize and accept the quest for Jesus as a substantive dimension of our Christian life and mission. Mary teaches us to seek and find Jesus in whatever expriences our lives may present to us.
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Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
The Burial of Jesus
The sixth of Mary's sorrows is stark. What we see here is yet another part of the journey and, depending upon our perspective, it can be viewed as a moment of despair, of abandonment, or a moment of tender love. Like Mary, we must accept and love even in painful circumstances.
The final strike of the sword is particularly poignant for Mary. She witnesses the closing of the tomb and experiences the void of Jesus' absence. The seventh of Mary's sorrows challenges us to embrace detachment, which finds its meaning in faith and hope. www.ols.org
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M ary of Sorrows We can turn to Mary of Sorrows with confidence for support and encouragement as we accompany others through difficult moments in their lives. Like Mary, we are willing to stand at the foot of the cross and share in the suffering of others. We hope to be, as she was, an example of compassion and love for others. - Br. Joel Giallanza, C.S.C
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
In Our Lives
Growing up in Italy, I went to Mass with my mother one day.
After Mass she stayed behind to pray, and she burst in tears. She had received news that my brother, who was in the military during World War II, was imprisoned by the Germans and would be sent to a concentration camp. Our pastor said to her, "Maria, do not despair." My mother's response was "no, I will not despair, I will keep the Blessed Mother company under the cross," This was the moment I realized the suffering of Mary under the cross. Since that day, in times of sorrow, I repeat the words that my mother uttered, which are still imprinted in my mind, "I will keep Mary company under the cross." - Sr. Anthony, OLS
Our Lady of Sorrows has taught me the value of patient loving. I have learned from Mary how to cling to Jesus in times of difficulties. Mary's example of faithfullness and commitment guides me on the path of my faith journey and vocation. Mary is very real in my life, she is my spiritual mother who desires to be present in the most gentle of ways; and my soul is at rest in her open arms of unconditional, understanding love - knowing that she brings me to her son Jesus in all things. - Sr. Heather, OLS
Mary of Sorrows for me is a friend like no other. I enjoy special moments of prayer that I spend with her where I share my desires, concerns, worries, and joys. In these times, my heart is at peace, because I know she accompanies me in my daily life. Mary has been a model of trust and a reminder of God's presence in my life always. Like Mary, I am called to share the precious gift of giving life to all those I am called to serve. Mary is my teacher, model, and friend. - Sr. Anahi, OLS www.ols.org
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STANDING with M ary Simeon's prophecy “gives Mary a glimpse into the meaning of Jesus' life. That same prophecy reveals to us the meaning of life for all those who are committed to the spiritual life, for living and working and loving as Jesus did. Such commitment situates us at the cutting edge of life and death, truth and falsehood, decisiveness and passivity, passion and apathy.
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-Brother Joel Giallanza C.SC 11
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
“ Mary the mother of Jesus, united to her Divine
Son and to His work by an intimate and everlasting bond is the model of our vocation and mission. Our foundress, Blessed Elisabetta Renzi entrusted our community to the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows, because she saw Mary as a model of holiness and love for those we are called to serve. From its foundation, our Congregation has been motivated to imitate Our Lady of Sorrows’ fidelity and strength as she stood faithfully at the foot of the cross. Mother Elisabetta emphasized the importance of imitating Mary’s love, faithfulness, and endurance by uniting ourselves to Jesus Crucified and the power of His cross, and “not turning away in the presence of the cross, because to become saints, the cross and grace are necessary.” The sorrows of Mary are not just a historical chapter in her life, but a spiritual reality that reveals God’s unwavering love for his people. At the Cross, Jesus gives us a mother the moment he says to John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). This is an assurance that Mary is a mother who is with us on our journey, as we strive to live out the mission entrusted to us. Therefore, “this is our hope. We are not orphans, we have a mother who defends us, teaches us, accompanies us.” (Pope Francis) Mary is for us the unflawed teacher, companion, and guide in our desire to know Jesus in his suffering, and in our longing to unite ourselves with Him. It is in imitation of Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that all of us who follow her Son might come to know the Cross as our only hope. A hope that comes from the knowledge that resurrection awaits us, if we remain faithful, even in the midst of darkness.
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(Congregation Constitution) Mary’s sorrows are not only events in her life, but in our lives as well. As daughters of Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, we are called to “witness in the world to the preferential love of Christ for the young, the poor, the weak, and the needy.” In this call, we recognize that suffering is very real in those to whom we minister, and that they carry heavy crosses each day. We learn from Mary to be women who cry with those who are suffering, and who remind them that even in darkness, there is grace and hope. Like Mary, who “accompanied Jesus through painful experiences, we can turn to her with confidence for support and encouragement as we accompany others through difficult moments in their lives. Like her, we are willing to stand at the foot of the cross and share in the suffering of others. We hope to be, as she was, an example of compassion and love for others.” (Br. Joel Giallanza, C.S.C)
By Sr. Fatima, OLS www.ols.org
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"The violen cut th
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(1090 - 1153) Thus the violence of sorrow
has cut through your heart, and we rightly call you more than martyr, since the effect of compassion in you has gone beyond the endurance of physical suffering.
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
�
nce of sorrow has hrough your heart." - St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Excerpt from the Sermon by Saint Bernard on the martyrdom of Mary at the foot of the cross. The martyrdom of the Virgin is set forth both in
the prophecy of Simeon and in the actual story of our Lord’s passion. The holy old man said of the infant Jesus: He has been established as a sign which will be contradicted. He went on to say to Mary: And your own heart will be pierced by a sword. Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son. Indeed, after your Jesus – who belongs to everyone, but is especially yours – gave up his life, the cruel spear, which was not withheld from his lifeless body, tore open his side. Clearly it did not touch his soul and could not harm him, but it did pierce your heart. For surely his soul was no longer there, but yours could not be torn away. Thus, the violence of sorrow has cut through your heart, and we rightly call you more than martyr, since the effect of compassion in you has gone beyond the endurance of physical suffering. Or were those words, "Woman, behold your Son," not more than a word to you, truly piercing your heart, cutting through to the division between soul and spirit? What an exchange! John is given to you in place of Jesus, the servant in place of the
Lord, the disciple in place of the master; the son of Zebedee replaces the Son of God, a mere man replaces God himself. How could these words not pierce your most loving heart, when the mere remembrance of them breaks ours, hearts of iron and stone though they are! Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, that Mary is said to be a martyr in spirit. Let him be surprised who does not remember the words of Paul, that one of the greatest crimes of the Gentiles was that they were without love. That was far from the heart of Mary; let it be far from her servants. Perhaps someone will say: “Had she not known before that he would not die?” Undoubtedly. “Did she not expect him to rise again at once?” Surely. “And still she grieved over her crucified Son?” Intensely. Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary’s Son? For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit? He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his. www.ols.org
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Our Treasurable Moment by Mr. & Mrs. Sikes
Message from Sr. Heather's Dad Sr. Heather was a sophomore in college at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette when she told us that she wanted to be a religious sister. She had already changed her major from PrePharmacy to Secondary Education in Biology and began her application to the convent, all one month prior to telling us. It took me by surprise; I was not expecting it. I knew it was out of my hands, that this was her choice in her life, and I knew I needed to absorb and accept her decision. I realized that what was best for her was for us to support her. As she transitioned through the different stages of her formation, at times it was a bit lonely for me, because we did not have the ability to involve her in our daily life; and we had to accept it. Considering the fact that she was still a college student, it was comforting to know that she was in a safe and loving environment. After she moved into the convent, I started going back to daily Mass. When I was off from work, I started listening to various lectures on EWTN Catholic radio. My favorite programs are The Reason for Our Hope with Fr. Larry Richards and Christ is the Answer with Fr. John Ricardo. I also enjoy listening to Mother Angelica; I love her wisdom and humor. Sr. Heather used to listen to Mother Angelica long before going to college, and I used to turn a deaf ear to it. I had no desire to listen to religious things, but she never turned it off. Every now and then, some ideas would stick in my mind, but I wouldn’t acknowledge them. Eventually, through God’s work, my faith in Christ has become so much stronger because of my personal relationship with Him. 15
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
Her Profession of Vows ceremony impacted me because it was like a marriage. It was a beautiful moment that time cannot replace, and it brought tears and joy. To see the large amount of friends and relatives that were able to be part of the occasion was meaningful for me. Also, seeing the presence of the Sisters all together was very special, because I knew they supported us and supported Sr. Heather.
Message from Sr. Heather's Mother As my husband and I began recognizing the dynamic of Sr. Heather’s initial decision, we felt blessed that our daughter was answering a call that God was asking of her, and it was beautiful to see the strength in her decision to become a religious sister. We grew into it and accepted it. It was a challenge for us when she left our home to begin her formation in Lafayette. As time went on, we met the Sisters and experienced how happy they were and how community life was part of the essence of who they were. Her entrance to the Novitiate was a very special time for us. We started to find God more in our daily lives. During her Novitiate entrance in Shreveport, we were listening to the Sisters singing the Magnificat in Italian. The experience was so overwhelming and beautiful that it awakened us to the reality of her call. It was amazing to hear the Sisters singing together, and it gave a strong witness of unity and love. We felt the presence of God there, and we saw the closeness of their relationship with God. It inspired us to grow in our faith journey. This dynamic of unity helped us to open our hearts, seek God, and be more prayerful. It was
A treasurable moment for us was when we walked our daughter to the altar. I knew deep in my heart that this was what she wanted to do; and it was an honor for us to give our daughter to God. Her First Profession of Vows was so special and beautiful for me as a mother, because it was a wedding in its own way by the level of her commitment with God. A treasurable moment for me was when we walked her to the altar, because I knew deep in my heart that this was what she wanted to do; and it was an honor for us to give our daughter to God. It was emotional for us, but very spiritual. Her witness and inner strength of living for God still moves me deeply, because she is so young to know what she wants in life and to give her all for what she feels called to do. I pray that other parents can experience one day the joy of lovingly entrusting their child to God, Who gave their child to them as a gift. I felt a magnitude of love and support to be near her Sisters at Mass, and I felt that I had many ‘mothers’ around me. She is part of a family of Sisters, devoted to the same call for the same reason. They bear witness to the reality of love, and their lives point to the One who is Love. Our home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath, LA, recently held a reception for Sr. Heather. It was a special moment for us to realize that we could celebrate, praising God with our “married” daughter in the same church where we married 33 years ago. Sharing her presence in that moment has meant a lot to us. As encouragement to other parents who may have children who desire to be a religious priest or sister, we pray that they may support their child in seeking what the Holy Spirit inspires them to do with their life, whatever it may be, and to remember that God who created them will see them through everything with love. In gratitude for God’s grace and for valuing the gift of our daughter’s life, we would like to share this reflection from Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “Discover to me, O my Lord, the nothingness of this world; greatness of time; shortness of life; length of eternity.” www.ols.org
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First Profession of Vows 2018
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Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Living My "FIAT" by Sr. Delnise, OLS
leaving my parents and my siblings. They were all I had. My family worked so hard, fighting poverty through farming labor, to raise me and give me the opportunity to go to Catholic School. I said goodbye to my family and joined the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows when they arrived in Brazil in 1986. I started the formation program, and at the same time, I also started college. The years of formation were very challenging, since I had to leave my country and go to Italy for the novitiate. During those years, I learned to love my new family, and little by little, my “fiat” took concrete form as Jesus shaped my soul-identity, as a daughter of Mother Elisabetta. When I made my first vows, my heart burned with the desire to serve Him, especially among the poor and the needy through the special mission as an educator in Brazil. It was a warm Sunday morning, in the tropical climate typical for northeast Brazil. My heart was overjoyed as I was hearing the bells of my home parish, calling the faithful people for Sunday Mass. In my teenage years, I loved helping with the Sunday morning Children’s Mass. But on this particular very ordinary day, I extraordinarily heard Jesus’ words in the Gospel. That day, the Gospel was just for me. Jesus was calling me to follow Him, as He was calling His first disciples. A mixture of feelings stirred in my soul as my daily activities unfolded during the following week. Many questions disturbed my inner self, “How could this happen? How would I tell my parents? What would my life be like?” I decided to give up questioning and take the first step: talk with my pastor. From that moment on, nothing would stop me from living my “fiat” to the Love of my soul. Although my determination to follow the Lord and to live for Him was so intense, I did feel the pain of 19
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
The following years were a joyful song of praise serving the poor in Catholic Education. My young students learned to read and write; however, the most important lesson was always to love Jesus. Later, I was asked to serve as the novice director. It was a joy and a challenge to help young ladies to become Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. God has been so good to me! I was pleased to serve the Lord in Brazil; however, in my heart I wanted to do even more. I had the desire to serve Him beyond the comfort of my own culture and my own people. I was asked to come to the United States, and after spending a few years in Louisiana learning English, I was asked to help open a new community in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I can’t believe it’s already been four years since I came to live and teach in Las Cruces at Las Cruces Catholic School. Working with my students each day gives me great joy as a missionary. As it was in my teenage years, all my days are shaped by the presence of the Lord, especially in the Holy Eucharist. In Him I live, and for His greater Glory, I try to do my best every day.
Our New Novices Those who let themselves be seized by this love cannot help but abandon every thing to follow Him . - Vita Consecrata 18
Nicole Cancel Hometown: Lacrosse, Wisconsin Fun Fact: I won a radio contest when I was 12 years old, by hoola hooping for over an hour.
Lisa Lapinski Hometown: Tyler, Texas Fan Fact: I taught myself to spin a basketball on my finger and I can still do it today.
Liza Gomez Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh Fan Fact: I used to play soccer in waist high water and sometimes would use my head.
Hira Rebaru Hometown: Rajshahi, Bangladesh Fun Fact: I was a good badminton player and sometimes would play with my family and friends. www.ols.org
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Rooted in the Past... Growi When the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows began their ministry at St. Frances Cabrini School, a PreK3-8th grade parochial school in Alexandria, Louisiana, there were only 125 students enrolled. Four years later, the school has more than doubled in size, growing to nearly 300 students, and the dream of adding an early childhood wing to the school has become a reality. This year, the school celebrates its 70th year of providing a quality Catholic education in the Alexandria area. Opened in 1948 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, its initial purpose was to provide a place to educate those in most need. SFCS continues that tradition still today, that of offering an affordable Catholic education to anyone who desires it. This commitment is what attracted the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows to Cabrini and gives us the opportunity to serve a very diverse population. Celebrating this diversity, the school continues to grow, and we couldn't be happier, because it gives us the chance to form and mold all students who step through our doors into Christ's future disciples. The new Incarnate Word Early Childhood Wing houses six new classrooms designed for PreK3 through Kindergarten. Both students and teachers are excited to be in a new learning environment with updated technology. As the school continues to grow into the future, our sisters look forward to continuing the work of Mother Elisabetta in the service of education at St. Frances Cabrini. 21
Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows
ing into the Future
Retreats
The sisters at Elisabetta Renzi community in Las Cruces, New Mexico held a Women's Lenten Retreat on March 9 and 10 in the spring. www.ols.org
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Mary, the Mother of Jesus, united to her Divine Son and to his work by an intimate and everlasting bond, it the model of our vocation and mission. - From the Constitutions of the Congregation
