ASPIRANTS ENTER IN QUERETARO
On August 4 of 2011, five young women entered the Aspirancy in Querétaro. The group currently consists of eight Aspirants.
The aspirants who entered two years ago are now in their third year of high school: Blanca Beatriz Muñoz from León, Guanajuato; Esmeralda and Perla Bahena Mendoza, twin sisters from Las Mesas, Petatlán, Guerrero.
The names of the new aspirants are: Juana Celedonio from Santiago Ixcuintepec, Oaxaca; María Cristal Acosta from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero; Ana Victoria Magaña from El Parotal, Guerrero; Nancy Castañeda from Las Mezas Petatlán, Guerrero and Mairani Gutiérrez from Papanoa, Guerrero. Juana Celedonio is completing middle school and the others are in their first year of high school in the Marist Brothers School.
Sister Elena Muñiz, the current Director of Aspirants, took them to visit our patients so they would be able to experience our mission. The girls were very enthused and liked this very much. May the Lord strengthen their hearts and make them generous and unafraid as they surrender their lives to Christ if He is calling them to the Consecrated Life.
COMMITMENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FRATERNITY OF LAY SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SAINT MARIA SOLEDAD (LSDSMS)
On August 14 of 2011, eve of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the 160th Anniversary of the foundation of our beloved Institute, several members of the Fraternity of LSDSMS of Puebla, León and Querétaro made their official promise to live the spirituality of the Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick according to the Statutes officially approved by the Church. They share the same desire to serve the sick as the Servants of Mary and to live the spirituality handed on by Saint María Soledad. They made this commitment and were given the Statutes during a para-liturgy specially planned for the occasion.
The members of the Fraternity of LSDSMS had previously written their desires to be admitted into the Fraternity for Mother Provincial. The forty-four members who were admitted and made their commitment were:
From the Community of Puebla: Fátima Hernández, Patricia Romero, Leonor Cervantes, Jacqueline Flores and Virginia García.
From the Community of León: Juan Gerardo Cruz, Sergio Felipe Chávez, María Guadalupe Rocha, María Josefina Arenas, Alicia Tavares, Carolina Mora, Martha Yolanda Ramírez, Ma. Esther Tavares, Elia Macías, Araceli Sánchez, Lidia Almaguer, Ma. Victoria Muñoz, Gloria Guerrero, Juan Arturo Soria, Irma Liliana Gutiérrez, Lucía López, Erika Monserrat Torres, Ma. Guadalupe Solórzano, Irazema Betariz Rico, Ma. del Carmen Cruz, Araceli Elizabeth Cervantes, Alma Aseret González, Milagros Guadalupe Delgado and Pablo Gabriel Gutiérrez.
It is worth mentioning that José Juan Martínez, a member of the Fraternity of LSDSMS for over two years, entered the Diocesan Seminary on the morning of this same day.
From the Community of Querétaro: José Estrada, Laura Rojas, Lydia Berzunsa, Margarita Correa, Elia Martínez, Isabel Arias, Ma. Cruz Martínez, Alma Arangurén, Carmen Avilés, Ivonne García, Bertha Ugalde, Silvia Hernández, Estela Ruiz and Pueblito Martínez.
We whole-heartedly congratulate them and thank God that they are now officially Lay Sons and Daughters of Saint María Soledad in the Church.
FORMATION COURSE AND 30 DAY SPIRITUAL EXERCISES FOR THE SISTERS CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF PERPETUAL PROFESSION
As in previous years, the Community of the Bronx once again prepared for the Sisters who are celebrating 10 years of Perpetual Vows and two other Sisters who joined the group as they celebrate their 25th Jubilee of Consecrated Life. On August 29 the following Sisters arrived from Mexico: Sister Luz Orozco from the Community of Aguascalientes and Sister Margarita Juárez from Mexico City; both of these Sisters are celebrating their Silver Jubilee this year. The Sisters celebrating “10 years” are: Sister Verónica Gutiérrez from San Isidro Huayápam, Mother Ana María Gómez and Sister Margarita Bonilla from Mérida.
In the afternoon of August 30 Sister Socorro Román and Sister Angélica Ramos arrived from the Community of Los Angeles. Sister Laura González arrived on September 3 from Azpeitia where she was the Auxiliary Sister of the Third Probation. Sister Rosa Valadez in the Community of the Bronx was also celebrating her “10 years”. Rev. Father José Moreno, O.D. arrived on August 30 from Querétaro and taught the course entitled “Elements of Mental Health for the Religious Life” from August 31 to September 4.
On August 31they enjoyed lunch in the garden provided by one of the Community’s chaplains, Father Aloysius Thumma in honor of the Sisters celebrating their “10 years”. Father had wanted to cook the meal himself for the Sisters but could not do so because of his poor health; however, he covered the cost of the food. He and Father José Moreno joined us for the occasion, and everyone enjoyed the company of these two fervent priests.
The 30 Day Spiritual Exercises were directed by Father José Mª Sanzberro, S.J. from September 5 to October 5.
Mother Provincial, after concluding the Reglementary Visit in this Community, had the joy of receiving them and meeting with each one. Everyone appeared to have the great desire to live this time of grace with a willing and generous heart for God. We take this opportunity to congratulate those celebrating their 10 years of Perpetual Vows as well as those celebrating 25 years of Religious Consecration. We are most grateful to Mother Silvia and the Sisters of the Community of the Bronx for welcoming and serving these groups that come every year.
CONCLUSION OF THE THIRD PROBATION
We give thanks to God for so many blessings that He has showered upon our Probation Sisters during these six months of preparation for their Perpetual Profession in Azpeitia, Spain. There were a total of 8 Probation Sisters: two from the Province of the Antilles, one from Andalucía, one from Argentina, two from the General House in Rome and two from our Province, Sister Claudia Carbajal and Sister Verónica Marez.
During these months we have faithfully accompanied them by praying that all the blessings be received with a completely open and generous heart and so produce abundant fruit for the good of the Church and our beloved Institute. The Third Probation officially concluded on September 1.
MARITZA URBINA ENTERS THE NOVITIATE IN OXNARD
After a thorough vocational discernment process, the grace of God led Martiza Urbina to enter the Novitiate in Oxnard as a Postulant on September 4. She is from Los Ángeles and is 18 years old. The Novitiate and the Community welcomed her with much joy, and all of the Servants of Mary, especially in our Province, assure her of our prayerful support as we ask Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother to shower their graces upon her that she may persevere in her desire to give her life to God as a Servant of Mary.
SISTER BLANCA IBAÑEZ BARDALES
CELEBRATES HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY
On September 27 our dear Sister Blanca Ibáñez from the Community of Zapopan celebrated her 100th birthday. The Community celebrated with a Mass of Thanksgiving on October 1 so that several of Sister Blanca’s nieces and nephews could attend. It was a day of deep joy and gratitude to God for the blessing of having this Sister with us. At the age of 100, Sister Blanca continues being the joy of the Community and participating in all the community activities. These 100 years are a praise of glory to God for the gift of our dear Sister, and we take this opportunity to send her our love, prayers and gratitude to God for everything we have received through her self-giving and fidelity as a consecrated woman. Congratulations, Sister Blanca!
THE COMMUNITY OF OXNARD’S 50th FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY
On October 8 the Community of Oxnard celebrated 50 years of service in this city. At that time Mother Provincial was in the Community of Los Angeles for the Reglementary Visit, so along with most of the Sisters, we went to Oxnard early Saturday morning. The convent was beautifully decorated with violets and precious words of Mother Soledad. The Chapel was absolutely beautiful with refined and elegant flower arrangements. The bulletin board called our attention with the Mother Soledad’s photo on top with rays of sun coming down around the photos of the founding Sisters in Oxnard. On the bottom were the photos of each Sister currently in the Community including the four Novices and one Postulant in the Novitiate. On the wall in front of the bulletin board were the photos of all the Local Superiors who had been in Oxnard since the beginning. How thoughtful! The celebration of the Eucharist took place in the Parish of Santa Clara at 11:00 a.m. with His Excellency, the Auxiliary Bishop of Santa Barbara, Thomas Curry, presiding and several priests concelebrating, most of whom were Augustinian Recollects who are the Sisters’ Chaplains. Among them was the Father General of the Augustinian Recollects, Rev. Father Miguez Miró, and his secretary, Father Sergio Camarena. From the Parish of Santa Clara were Father Michael Grieco, Monsignor John Naugton who the Sisters take care of and Father Agustín Rodríguez, M.Sp.S. who is also Chaplain for the Community. From Los Ángeles were Father Albert Carrión, O.P. who knew us through Maritza, the new Postulant, Father Thomas Ellis and Father Peter Gelfer, O.H. who proclaimed the Gospel and preached the homily. Since he has known us for years, he gave a summary of our life in Oxnard and thanked all the persons who have helped the Sisters in one way or another and spoke about our mission with sick throughout these 50 years in this city. The parish choir was in charge of the music and sang beautifully. At the end all of the Servants of Mary sang the official hymn to Mother Soledad in its entirety; it was just life heaven. After Mass we took photos in front of the altar as memoirs and then returned to the convent with our guests to partake in a meal in the patio area outside the refectory. The tables were nicely decorated with white and gold tablecloths and natural floral centerpieces on each table. In each place there was a pen and a white rosary of the Our Lady, Health of the Sick. Lunch was serenaded by a mariachi that filled this unforgettable day with joy.
We thanked God for such a great blessing of having allowed us to celebrate these 50 years of service to the sick in the city of Oxnard. We are especially grateful for the good that HE has bestowed upon so many families through our charitable mission. Blessed be God in all!
OCTOBER 9: PERPETUAL VOWS IN THE COMMUNITY OF LEON
Sister Claudia Carbajal Hernández and Sister Verónica Marez Escalera, both from the Community of León, were in Azpeitia, Spain, for six months with six other Sisters from other Provinces. They were there from March until August preparing for their definitive Profession of Perpetual Vows to God. During the Third Probation part of their preparation included the 30 Day Spiritual Exercises.
On October 9 the Community of León celebrated the Religious Profession of our two Sisters by decorating the Chapel, refectory, the two Sisters’ rooms, the stairs and the patio for the reception. They were awakened in the morning with a serenata and sung Morning Prayer and were congratulated at breakfast with songs. The Eucharistic Celebration for the Perpetual Profession took place at 12:00 noon presided by His Excellency, Archbishop José Guadalupe Rábago, and concelebrated by Father Miguel Escamilla Mora, MNM and Father José de Jesús Hernández, MNM. Mother Mª de la Luz Rodríguez recieved the Sisters’ vows as Mother General’s delegate. Sister Claudia and Sister Verónica’s parents were present as well as Sisters from Zapopan and Querétaro. We ask the Lord to grant them holy perseverance and pray that both of them continue steadfast in their definitive yes to God with enthusiasm and generosity. May the faithful example of Our Blessed Mother, Mother Soledad and Blessed Mary Catherine move them to live their consecrated life to the full with radicality and joy. After the celebration of the Eucharist, the guests joined the Sisters for lunch in the patio of the Aspirancy. Blessed be God in all!
OCTOBER 29: BEATIFICATION OF SISTER MARY CATHERINE
We would like to share with those who were not able to go a little about our experience at the Beatification of our beloved Sister Mary Catherine in Madrid. Seventy-four Sisters from our Province from both México and the United States and two members of the Fraternity of Lay Sons and Daughters of Saint María Soledad set out for Madrid on Wednesday, October 26. Thanks be to God, we all arrived safely at the Barajas airport in Madrid on Thursday, October 27. As we were leaving the airport, we were surprised to see a beautiful sign with a picture of Sister Mary Catherine and her words, “Nothing is impossible for God nor for those who believe in Him”, as if she were confirming that her beatification was possible because God can do all things and also because of the faith of those who believed that this would happen. The emblem of the Congregation was also on the sign with the words, “Welcome Servants of Mary and friends”, clearly visible on the bottom. Members of the Panavisión Company were waiting for us and had everything planned for us during our time in Madrid. We went with one of the young women in the bus that took us to the Hotel Auditorium, Avenida de Aragón, 400 Madrid, which was relatively close to the airport. This is where almost 500 Servants of Mary stayed until November 2 which turned out to be beautiful because this immense hotel was converted into our convent for a few days. We registered at the entrance and were given a tag on a red ribbon that read: “Beatification: Sister Mary Catherine Irigoyen. Madrid, October 29, 2011”. The card inside the plastic cover had Sister Mary Catherine’s picture and read: “Beatification” and the number of the bus that corresponded to each one. Our Province was assigned to bus numbers 6 and 7. On the other side was the name of our guide and their telephone number and other numbers in case we needed help. We also received our room number and card to open the room as well as to turn on the lights in the room. This helped to make sure that the lights were not left on when we left the room. You can just imagine how beautiful it was to encounter so many Servants of Mary when we arrived at the hotel; there were Sisters everywhere that we did not know. Our happiness was even greater when our beloved Mother General Alfonsa Bellido came to welcome us. Each one found out who their roommate was to the surprise of most of us. On our beds we found a pretty red and white bag with Sister Mary Catherine’s picture on it. Inside the bag was a book about the life of the soon-to-be Blessed Sister: “Adoration and Service” written by Mother Julia Castillo. There was also a red and white scarf decorated with the emblem of the Congregation on one side and a lamp burning with Sister Mary Catherine’s name on the other side, a pin with her picture and a very pretty Rosary as a keepsake of the Beatification.
In the afternoon the Holy Eucharist was celebrated in one of the huge rooms of the hotel. It was a very special time to see so many Servants of Mary together. The Priest who celebrated the Mass told us, “Now you cannot say that there are not very many of you; look around and see just how many of you there are”. It was true, and we could only thank God for it.
On Friday, October 28 we celebrated Morning Prayer together which was followed by breakfast, and the rest of the Sisters continued to arrive during the day. At 5:00 pm the Holy Eucharist was celebrated in the hotel auditorium with a folklore group called “Alma Navarra” singing typical songs from Navarre. To begin the celebration of the Beatification of our dear Sister Mary Catherine, we had a Vigil consisting of a presentation of five classical Spanish dances by the group “Paseando por Madrid”. The evening ended with Vespers, dinner and rest.
The long-awaited day, Saturday, October 29, finally arrived. After morning prayers and breakfast, wearing our scarves and buttons, we boarded our buses that took us to the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid for the Eucharistic Celebration of the Beatification of our Sister that began at 12:00 noon. This was the first Beatification celebrated in the Diocese of Madrid and the only one until now in the Cathedral of Almudena. It was presided by His Excellency, Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints and representative of the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the Beatification. Also concelebrating were His Excellency, Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid, and more than 100 Archbishops, Bishops and Priests, among whom was His Excellency, Cardinal Edmundo Abastorflor, Archbishop of La Paz, Bolivia. Servants of Mary from several convents in Spain also came for the day which increased our total number to over 600 Servants of Mary and a large group of Lay Sons and Daughters of Saint María Soledad from different Provinces. There was a deeply joyful and grateful spirit in the air as we thanked God for this blessing and gift to our beloved Congregation and the Church. In the entrance procession while the choir intoned the song “Pueblo de Reyes, Asamblea Santa”, we were able to appreciate the presence of the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Priests who concelebrated with Cardinal Amato. During the Rite of Beatification, Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela and Mother Julia Castillo, Postulator of the Cause, read the petition to proceed with the Beatification of the Servant of God, Mary Catherine Irigoyen and a short summary about the Servant of God. Then, with everyone standing, His Excellency Cardinal Angelo Amato read the Apostolic Letter from Pope Benedict XVI inscribing the Venerable Servant of God Mary Catherine Irigoyen Echegaray in the book of Blesseds and read the formula of Beatification in Latin. It was then read in Spanish to which we all answered with an AMEN full of joy and gratitude.
At this time the painting of Blessed Mary Catherine was revealed and the official Beatification Hymn was intoned: “Let us sing a hymn of glory, of joyful praise to the Lord for the gift of Blessed Mary Catherine, for her life of service and love…” Meanwhile our dear Mother General, with her arms raised high and a joyful expression on her face, carried in procession the precious relic of Sister Mary Catherine, and others carried flowers and candles to place under the painting. This was followed by jubilant and grateful applause as we celebrated this heavenly moment. Cardinal Rouco thanked the Holy Father and the Gloria was sung in Latin. The readings were then proclaimed, and the Holy Gospel was the same as for the Solemnity of Mother Soledad: St. Luke 10, 30-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan. In his homily Cardinal Amato emphasized our Sister as “a heroic witness of the Gospel of Christ”. He also said that Sister Mary Catherine “became like Jesus, the Good Samaritan to the needy and saw in them the suffering face of the Redeemer. She renounced her life and resolved to kneel at the feet of human suffering so as to offer it to God.” Her love for the Eucharist and for the Blessed Virgin Mary was unconditional. Her tender care for the sick caused everyone to love her. He added that we, the Servants of Mary, today have in our Holy Mother Foundress as well as in Blessed Mary Catherine examples of fidelity, gestures of generous service and compassion that the world needs so much.
Mrs. Mercedes Lopera and her three children from La Paz, Bolivia were also present. She is the wife of the surgeon Luís Fernando Padilla Gómez who was miraculously cured in 2004 through the intercession of Sister Mary Catherine after suffering from pneumonia complicated by meningitis, cerebral edema and hemorrhages. Dr. Padilla later died on September 26, 2007, from a heart attack completely unrelated to his previous illness.
After the Mass we returned to the hotel for lunch. It was a beautiful time to share together with our guests.
The following three days were spent in gratitude to God for the Beatification of Sister Mary Catherine.
On Sunday, October 30 we had a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Parish of Santa Teresa and Santa Isabel where Mother Soledad and the first Servants of Mary made their first profession of vows. It was presided by Father Fernando Fernández, parish priest of this Church. We then went to the “Monasterio del Escorial” and to the “Valle de los Caídos”.
On Monday, October 31 we had the second Mass of Thanksgiving in the Parish of San Fermín de los Navarros where Sister Mary Catherine would often stop to visit the Lord. The Mass was presided by His Excellency Edmundo Abastoflor, Archbishop of La Paz, Bolivia. We then visited the Motherhouse and toured the convent, including the Oratory, museum, novitiate and infirmary. Our time there seemed too short, but we were most grateful for it. In the afternoon we enjoyed a panoramic tour in the bus through the most famous and beautiful streets, plazas and buildings of Madrid. It was truly wonderful!
On Tuesday, November 1, All Saints Day, the Mass of Thanksgiving was in our beautiful Motherhouse Church. Even though it did not seem possible, all the Servants of Mary somehow fit in the Church and Chapels and enjoyed this celebration presided by His Excellency, Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela. We then visited the Palace of Riofrío and the “Real Sitio de la Granja”. Between visiting these two places, we enjoyed a delicious banquet in a restaurant that delighted us with their famous “cochinito” and the joyful music of Segovia that made several Sisters dance. Before returning to the hotel, we enjoyed a scenic bus tour of the beautiful city of Segovia. Since it was already dark, the Segovian lights made it all the more beautiful, and we could see the famous aqueduct, the Alcázar and the Cathedral. We drove by the side of the monastery where Saint John of the Cross is buried and our Sisters’ convent. Although we would have liked to stop for just a minute, we were grateful for the opportunity to see these sights.
November 2 arrived and the long goodbyes began during breakfast. We were all very grateful to our Mother General and the Sisters who made the preparations for our stay. For the last time, we got on our bus with our faithful and excellent guide who took us to the airport. We were very edified and grateful for the wonderful service provided by our guides as well as the bus drivers. May the Lord bless them and their families. Several of them expressed how edifying it was to spend these days with us. Although this is their job, they had never been with Religious before. Blessed be God in everything!
ANNIVERSARIES OF RELIGIOUS PROFESSION
We congratulate the Sisters who have recently celebrated their 60 years of Religious Profession: Sister Fátima Zapata in the Community of the Bronx and Sister Laura Salazar in the Community of León.
50 years of Religious Profession: Sister Auxilio Corrales Cuervo in New Orleans.
25 years of Religious Profession: Sister Beatriz Pardo, Sister Mª de la Luz Orozco, Sister Angélica Rodríguez and Sister Blanca Ríos in the Community of Aguascalientes; Mother Mª de la Luz Rodríguez and Sister Anita García González in the Community of León, Sister Mª del Refugio García in the Community of Querétaro; Sister Elena Torres in the Community of Puebla; Sister Silvia Ontiveros in the Community of Zapopan; Sister Margarita Juárez in the Community of México, D.F.; Sister Celia Mora in the Community of Mérida and Mother Silvia Juárez in the Community of the Bronx.
SISTERS IN NURSING SCHOOL
Sister Raquel Medina from the Community of Puebla has completed her Registered Nursing studies and the year of service.
Sister San Juana Pérez Tiscareño has completed the Registered Nursing studies in Puebla. It was not possible for her to continue with the year of service, and she is now helping in the Community of San Isidro Huayápam.
Sister Luisa Adriana León Osorio and Sister Rosa Esmeralda Cabrera Ayala graduated Registered Nursing School on August 5 and are currently completing their year of service.
Sister Sanjuana García Torres and Sister Araceli Miranda Loza completed their LPN certification in the Community of Mérida on August 6.
We send these Sisters our most sincere congratulations. May their nursing education help them to better serve the sick where God has sent them through obedience.