AUGUST, 2022
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ~AUG. 15
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary stained glass, El Amparo Chapel, Huehuetenango, Guatemala
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Perpetual Professions "HOW CAN I REPAY YOU, OH LORD?" SR. CATARINA OSORIO IXCOTEYAC
SR. HELEN AIDA VILLALTA RÍOS
BY SR. HELENA ADAKU OGBUJI, CCVI PHOTOS BY SR. RICCA DIMALIBOT, CCVI How can I repay You, Oh Lord, for all your goodness to me? (¿Cómo te pagaré, Oh Señor, todo el bien que me has hecho?), was the beautiful responsorial psalm that Sisters Catarina Osorio Ixcoteyac and Helen Aida Villalta Ríos sang during their perpetual profession at Casa de Retiros Verbo Encarnado, Guatemala, on Saturday, July 16th, 2022. These brides of the Incarnate Word were beaming with joy and delight as they sang, with their hearts, in praise to God for all the wonderful things they have received. In the presence of Sr. Celeste Trahan, the Congregation Leader and the Church assembled, Sisters Catarina and Helen vowed to God Chastity, Poverty and Obedience for life, according to the Constitutions of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston. Their perpetual vows were received by Sr. Celeste Trahan, Congregational Leader.
Perpetual Professions The beautiful Mass for the perpetual profession was presided over by Fr. Felix Garcia, OMI. Fathers Victor Pamal and Manuel Larios concelebrated with him. The celebration was also graced by the presence of their parents, siblings, family members and friends. Almost all the CCVI Sisters from Central America were present; some Leadership Team Members (Sisters Ricca Dimalibot, Joyce Susan Njeri Mbataru, and Betty Arias Campos) also attended, as well as some friends and formators from the United States, Sisters Rosanne Popp, Francesca Kearns, and Helena Ogbuji. During the homily, Fr. Felix emphasized the importance of Synodality embarked upon by the Church, where we are called to walk together as a family of God, in faith and love. He praised women religious for their high credibility in their involvement in this mission of walking together. The mission, he continued, began from the family, the first school of faith, where the love of God is first instilled in the children. Fr. Felix thanked Sisters Catarina and Helen for giving themselves generously for the mission without expecting anything in return. He encouraged them to continue to bring this faith and love of God, which they have received from their families and through their formation in religious life, to their subsequent mission. The celebration was finally concluded with a delightful and delicious meal, cutting of cakes, and dance. Praised be the Incarnate Word—Forever.
Perpetual Professions
“I ASK TO PROFESS PERPETUAL VOWS OF CHASTITY, POVERTY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD.” Sr. Celeste Trahan, Congregational Leader, summoned Sr. Catarina Osorio Ixcoteyac and Sr. Helen Aida Villalta Ríos to declare their intent. They each responded: “I ask to profess Perpetual Vows of chastity, poverty and obedience to God in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.”
Perpetual Professions
PROFESSION OF VOWS
The ring is the symbol of the permanent bond between God, Sisters Catarina and Helen, and the Congregation.
Sr. Helen recites her perpetual vows before the assembly.
Sr. Helen receives her ring from Sr. Celeste.
Sr. Catarina recites her perpetual vows before the assembly.
Sr. Catarina receives her ring from Sr. Celeste.
Perpetual Professions
Sr. Helen signs the Act of Perpetual Profession of Vows.
Sr. Catarina signs the Act of Perpetual Profession of Vows.
Perpetual Professions
CELEBRATING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS The celebration was graced by the presence of their family members, friends, relatives and many CCVI Sisters. Following the Eucharist, all enjoyed a festive reception honoring the Sisters.
Perpetual Professions
CHRISTUS PILGRIMAGE WALKING THE PATHS OF OUR ANCESTORS
In the Chapel where Bishop Dubuis, our Founder, and our three Founding Sisters celebrated Mass before sailing to Galveston in 1866. Left to Right: Sisters Mary McHale, Helena Adaku Ogbuji and María Magdalena Rodríguez.
BY SR. HELENA ADAKU OGBUJI, CCVI From June 16th to 25th, 2022, Sisters Mary McHale, María Magdalena Rodríguez and Helena Adaku Ogbuji left the United States to join CHRISTUS Health for a pilgrimage to Lyon, France and Rome, together with the two other congregations (Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth) who are cosponsoring CHRISTUS Health. This pilgrimage was organized by CHRISTUS Health to experience, in a tangible way, the history and heritage of the three Congregations that are co-sponsoring it. The pilgrimage is a journey to the places where our founding members and our founder, Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis, himself walked.
The group of pilgrims in front of the Basilica in Lyon, France
The places we visited told the stories of the women and men who wrote the story of the Congregations of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. We were twenty-six pilgrims, with Ernie Sadau, the CEO of CHRISTUS Health, Gerry Heeley, the Pilgrimage organizer, three Sisters from each Congregation, some board members, CHRISTUS Health staff and their spouses. The pilgrimage was very spiritual, life-giving, and emotional.
Sisters on pilgrimage in front of the mother house of the Holy Family Sisters
With the Incarnate Word and the Blessed Sacrament Sisters Lyon, France
Behind lies the heart and remains of Mother Jeanne Chezard de Matel
On arrival at Lyon, we visited the old convent of the Hospital Sisters of the Antiquaille, which is now a museum. Although the convent is now a cultural center and museum, it still has the mark of the Sisters who lived and ministered there. Meeting and visiting with the Hospital Sisters of the Antiquaille was so real. I imagined how our three founding Sisters, Mary Blandine Matelin, Mary Joseph Roussin, and Mary Ange Escude, walked over from 49 Montee Saint Barthelemy, Lyon, to the Monastery of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament where Mother M. Angelique Hiver, who was the superior of the Monastery, prepared them in just one week for their journey to Texas. We prayed before the heart of this great woman, Mother M. Angelique, who also had spent seven years as a Hospital Sister in the Antiquaille before joining the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sisters. She played a critical role in helping to recruit and form women for the mission in Texas. Celebrating Mass at the chapel where our founding Sisters received their first habit, after their one-week formation, was grand and gratifying. It was heartwarming and emotional to pray before the altar at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière where, before their departure for Galveston, Texas, our three founding Sisters celebrated Mass, presided by Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis.
“Could you imagine that after many years of planting the seed of a new Congregation in the hearts of three young French women, that Sisters from far away African Countries would answer the same call?” " - Sr. Helena
Laying flower on the grave of Bishop Dubuis
It was also very emotional to pray at the tomb where the remains of Bishop Dubuis are resting in peace. As I knelt before our Founder’s tomb, I was filled with awe at the passion and apostolic zeal of our beloved Founder Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis. With tears in my eyes. I asked him: “Could you imagine that after many years of planting the seed of a new Congregation in the hearts of three young French women Sisters from far away African Countries would answer the same call?” I imagined “The Captain of the Great Spirit” smiling graciously that contagious smile that attracted and drew people to him. This pilgrimage has reawakened in me a deeper love for our founder. I love his courage and determination even in the face of unfriendliness that he encountered, especially in Castroville. Meeting with the relatives of Bishop Dubuis was like meeting their uncle, our beloved Founder. We were fondly welcomed and were treated with much love by his surviving relatives. They displayed many of our Founder’s personal prayer books and things and we enjoyed their splendid hospitality.
With the great grand relative of Bishop Claude Maria Dubuis.
With the Hospital Sisters of the Antiquaille, France
CCVI Sisters from Houston, San Antonio and Holy Family Sisters with CHRISTUS Health President and CEO Ernie Sadau at Bishop Dubuis’ grave site.
At the Vatican Square.
From Lyon, France, we visited the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Rome, Italy, and listened with delight to the humble beginnings of their Congregation and their Foundress Mother Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd. We also toured Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel and admired its paintings. All the places we visited and the stories behind them reveal a love for God and a zeal for the mission, not to deny the fact that there was also a culture of hostility. I often wonder how courageous our founders and our founding members were and wonder if I could ever fit in their shoes. Their passion for the mission caused them to leave their familiar land, family, and culture to go to a place where they had to struggle with language and to beg for their food. We are standing on the shoulders of our founding members who passed on the tradition to us. We are walking their paths! It is my prayer and hope that we will hand on their courage, love, and zeal for the mission to the generation to come. Praised be the Incarnate Word—
A TIMELY TREASURE healed, renewed, fulfilled, reenergized, & available for mission
BY SR. VERONICAH MUTHONI MBURU, CCVI The opportunity to have the Spring Sabbatical Program at Mercy Center followed by thirty days retreat at Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House in Sedalia, was a graced time for my personal renewal and transformation. I arrived at Mercy Center on 14th February 2022. I was blessed to be in the company of nine colleagues. The group consisted of a laywoman, three priests, and five sisters from different congregations. We represented the USA, India, Australia, United Kingdom, China, and most important Kenya. We had others joining us for a few weeks or days depending on their needs and interests. It was amazing how we bonded really fast and within no time we had formed a family where every one of us felt at home. The sharing of different responsibilities within the center made us more united and this enhanced our daily interactions. In the daily group sharing, I was nourished by the group’s wisdom on how each of us embraced our blessedness and brokenness. Through the gifted hands of the Mercy Center Director, Fr. Bill Jarema, and his competent staff, I was able to explore different topics. These were Conscious Celibacy, Mandala Assessment, Encounter with Sacred Living, Inner Explorations, Grief and Trauma, The Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Enneagram Explorations, Praying with St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, Healing Emotions, Life Transitions to mention but a few. The learning and insights from the sessions were graced moments for my personal, interpersonal, spiritual, and professional growth as every topic touched me in different ways. For instance, the exploration of conscious celibacy was a blessing to me as a religious woman. My purpose and meaning for celibacy were affirmed during these sessions and through the Conscious Celibacy Assessment Inventory. Although I came out as a healthy celibate, I realized that there are several lessons and insights from the sessions and the scriptures that will continue to enrich my growth as a celibate. For example, how Jesus lived out his humanity as a role model in celibate life. I became more aware and grateful for all the relationships that support me in living a celibate life; sisters in the community, family, those I minister to and with, and religious male and female friends from other congregations. Not forgetting the opportunities, the congregation has given me to grow as a religious woman.
timely treasure The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Enneagram provided an opportunity to deepen my understanding of different personality preferences and functions. Through these tools, I was helped to understand my potential and the ways in which my inferior function (shadow) reveals itself in interpersonal relationships, communication, and conflict. I learned about the impact of my personality on friendships, relationships, love, compulsions, and most important, the path towards redemption. This was a humbling moment in accepting the strengths and embracing the growing edges. The facilitator helped me in finding spirituality in my inner world of experience and unifying values. The sessions on healing emotions, grief, and trauma enabled me to be in touch with and seek healing from the aftermaths of different losses such as death and different displacements of myamily due to post-election violence. Revisiting my past experiences enabled me to appreciate the presence of God in my life in the midst of chaos. The serenity prayer invited me into naming what I need to let go and let God. Going through the five languages of Love helped me to reclaim my primary love language and appreciate those of others. Using Bankson’s six stages of spiritual development, the facilitator helped me to understand the pattern of transition that allows me to move with the process and avoid unnecessary obstructions. In this, I learned how to deal with the resistance to the unknown and cling to the familiar. In reclaiming, I got in touch with the memories, gifts, and healing of the wounds in my past transitions. In the relating and releasing stages, I was grateful for those who helped me in my past transitions and the rewards of the past transitions which left me with the freedom to celebrate my accomplishments. I realized that each transition was calling me to something new and it’s my prayer that I will continue to grow as I embrace the present and future transitions. The creative expressions sessions were fulfilling moments of drawing from my own creativity and those of others. I enjoyed the process of coming out with any item I made in ceramics, painting, drawing, weaving, card making, etc. The process spoke volumes to me as it resonated with my personal development. We were blessed to have Bishop James, the Colorado bishop, in our thanksgiving ceremony where we shared all that we had come up with in our creative expression sessions. It was enriching to see what each one of us had made within the three months. I was delighted to see snow for the first time! I had a good time playing with it, too. I enjoyed seeing it fall and slowly build up into heaps. I understood well the saying “as white as snow.” The falling reminded me of the many blessings and graces I have received in my life. During the Hills and Mountains retreat, the program offered a golden opportunity to pray with different sceneries in Colorado Springs. This was great because I like praying with nature. Some of the beautiful places we visited were: The Garden of the Gods, Florissant Fossils Beds National Monument, Palmer Park, Pikes and Peaks, and Colorado Springs Memorial Park. This gave us the chance to visit these places and to pray with rocks, water, forest, desert, wind, birds, etc.
timely treasure The opportunity to attend our congregation chapter was a blessing for me. As my first chapter to attend, I was enriched by the presentations, group sharing, daily Mass, and the interactions during the breaks. I was delighted to meet sisters that I had not met in person. Having my 30 days retreat immediately after the Mercy Center Program was a blessing. The program had done the groundwork and I felt more prepared and disposed for the retreat. I feel healed, renewed, fulfilled, reenergized, and more available for the healing mission where I am most needed. I am grateful to our congregation leadership and formation team for this treasured opportunity of renewal and transformation. As I continue with my journey of becoming, which for me is a graced daily commitment, it is my prayer that I will continue to put into practice what I have learned. My gratitude also goes to all the sisters for the prayers and support they offered. Any word of encouragement, call, voice mail, message, card, or email was timely and well appreciated. I am also grateful for the opportunity given to visit with our sisters in different communities at the Villa and outside the Villa. It was inspiring too to visit the ministries and to learn what each ministry does such as the Archives, RUAH, Literacy Center, Social Concern, St. Mary’s Clinic and the different watching, reading, and listening materials offered to enrich my understanding of our congregation’s history. The sharing from different Sisters about their vocation journey, ministry, prayer life, history of our congregation, and the sense of humor remains dear in my heart and gives me hope for the future of our congregation. Praised Be the Incarnate Word! Forever
TROPICAL TRANQUILITY
CASA DE RETIROS VERBO ENCARNADO SANTIAGO SACATEPÉQUEZ, GUATEMALA
PHOTOS BY SR. RICCA DIMALIBOT, CCVI
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AUG. 15 RESEARCHED BY DOROTHY HARRIS, LIBRARIAN AT VILLA DE MATEL The feast day of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated around August 15 by many countries, particularly in parts of Europe and South America. This day is also known as the Assumption the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God (in the eastern countries), or the Feast of the Assumption. It celebrates the day that the Virgin Mary ascended into Heaven following her death, according to popular Christian belief. It is the principal feast day of the Virgin Mother. The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady, but it is not known how it first came to be celebrated. Its origin is lost in those days when Jerusalem was restored as a sacred city, at the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (c. 285-337). Roman Catholics believe that the body of Mary, rather than undergoing death and decay, entered heaven, an event that is commemorated in the Feast of the Assumption. In the Guatemalan town of Santa Cruz del Quiche´, the Feast of the Assumption is combined with the Fiestas Elenas, from August 16-20 and celebrated for nearly a week.