Celebrating Our Saints
By S. Whitney Schieltz
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On the first two days of November, we remember the saints and loved ones who have gone before us with the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. During these feast days, we are gifted with the opportunity to honor the role models and companions who have inspired and encouraged us. It seems especially appropriate in this season of autumn, with Thanksgiving and Advent just around the corner, to take time to pause and reflect with gratitude on those special people. How have their lives impacted us, and how have they helped shape our lives?
A song by Joyce Johnson Rouse, aka Earth Mama, has been playing in my mind ever since our Congregation prayed with it during a gathering this September. In “Standing on the Shoulders,” Rouse reminds us: “We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us. They are saints and they are humans, they are angels, they are friends.” That same weekend, we witnessed S. Romina Sapinoso’s profession of perpetual vows and hosted a discernment retreat for young women considering joining our Community. What a beautiful embodiment of those song lyrics! Family and friends joined together in celebration. Senior Sisters shared their stories with those following in their footsteps. A community gathered in prayer where faith-filled women have shared their lives for generations.
I often catch myself looking around the room at these gatherings or simply sitting at the dinner table and realizing how blessed I am to have so many saints in my life. One of the gifts of our faith tradition is the collection of canonized saints to whom we can turn for comfort and guidance. But we should also remember those unofficial saints who have journeyed with us and helped us recognize our talents and treasures. Take some time in these coming weeks to pray with and reflect on those saints upon whose shoulders you stand. What is it about their lives that inspires you? What might that tell you about your own call?
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Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Romina Sapinoso Professes Final Vows |
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S. Romina Sapinoso professed perpetual vows during a Mass on Sept. 24, 2022 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse.
Sisters, Associates and invited guests were present with S. Romina in the chapel for the ceremony. In their presence she vowed to “freely commit myself for life to the service of God, God’s people, and all of Creation as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. … I ask for the grace of God and the continuing support of my Sisters, Associates, family, and friends, so that I may keep faith with the commitment that I joyfully make today.”
Following her acceptance of vows, the Community joined in response, saying, “… We are grateful to you for your faithful response to this call to risk living the vows in humility, simplicity, and charity. May you keep walking in faith as a courageous servant, selfless leader, and a prayerful woman of God. We support you and promise our love and our prayer as you daily continue to live simply in our complex world attentive to the needs of the vulnerable among us and our fragile earth. Let the love of Christ embrace you and ever deepen your longing to serve!” Read More.
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Generations of Charity: Celebrating Vocation Awareness Week |
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November 6-12, 2022 is National Vocation Awareness Week. Throughout the week, visit our website and social media pages to view newer Sisters and their mentors reflect on the call to religious life!
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Recommended Resource: My Life with the Saints |
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Father James Martin has led an entirely modern life. At every step he has been accompanied by some surprising friends—the saints of the Catholic Church. For many, these holy men and women remain just historical figures. For Martin, they are intimate companions. In this warm and endearing memoir, Martin demonstrates how the saints can help all of us find our way in the world. |
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SCs Attend Ignatian Family Teach-In
for Justice
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In October (pictured, from left) Sisters Andrea Koverman, Tracy Kemme, Romina Sapinoso and Louise Lears attended the 25th annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) in Washington, D.C. They joined 2,000-plus young people in the name of faith, community, and Catholic social action.
S. Romina Sapinoso said, “[It was] a beautiful weekend of connecting, learning, praying and being in solidarity on different issues that our faith urges us to act on through our individual efforts and collective action. Charity matters. Service matters. But as the people of God, we are also called to work towards reminding policy makers that people’s lives, especially those experiencing marginalization, are affected by decisions made in places so far from the suffering and pain of people’s experiences. Our Catholic faith calls us to uplift and amplify the voices of those who cannot yet be heard and advocate for policies that cast aside personal and corporate profits for that of the common good. Justice matters.”
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The Leadership Collaborative recently released the video series “Let’s Get Real,” which provides a collection of voices illuminating core aspects of religious life. Sisters Montiel Rosenthal and Romina Sapinoso are included with more than 40 others sharing their experiences as women religious in the 21st century. To view: https://www.thelc.global/lets-get-real.
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Upcoming Dates & Opportunities |
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November 6-12, 2022
National Vocation Awareness Week: Follow us on social media to see newer Sisters and their mentors reflect on the call to religious life in our brand new “Generations of Charity” videos!
November 20, 2022
7-8:30 p.m. ET, Virtual Discernment Group: Keeping Gratitude in Discernment
December 4, 2022
7-8:15 p.m. ET, Virtual Faith Sharing Group: The Women Martyrs of El Salvador, featuring S. Christine Rody, SC
December 10, 2022
10-11:30 a.m. ET, Virtual Advent Discernment Reflection featuring scripture scholar S. Barbara Reid, OP
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Students from Creighton University visited the House of Charity in New Orleans, Louisiana, in October to offer their service to the rebuilding efforts in the area. Service opportunities included general home repair and rebuilding as well as listening to the personal stories of those they met. The House of Charity is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Federation, providing a welcoming environment to help volunteers process, reflect and serve; Sister of Charity Monica Gundler (pictured, right) has ministered there since its beginnings in 2010. |
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E-Vōc is the electronic newsletter from the Vocations Team of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati for single women wondering what new thing God is calling forth in their lives. To join the E-Vōc mailing list, contact Erin Reder at erin.reder@srcharitycinti.org. To unsubscribe, click here.
If you are interested in learning more about life as a Sister of Charity, visit our website at www.srcharitycinti.org.
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