Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Today, in commemoration of all Carmelite souls, we remember particularly some of our Sisters who have gone before us and upon whose shoulders we stand. Their loving examples continue to give life to our community and we are grateful for the fidelity and trust in the Lord.
She was a true mother. When you needed to be corrected, she did it firmly, lovingly, and with kindness. She gave her love without hesitation for our sanctification. As Administrator of the hospital, she would walk the hallways greeting each staff member. If someone was suffering from illness, the loss of a loved one, or a tragedy, etc, she was sure to give them consoling words of encouragement and usually a holy card. From Mother Margarita Maria, I learned how to live the beatitude “Blessed are the Merciful.”
Her joy was contagious. She was a loving Sister who never hesitated to tell you the truth and she treated you like you were her own blood sister.
Sister Victoria very quietly went about her Father’s business deliciously & lovingly cooking for all the sisters and retreatants. She was a joyful soul whom we (the novices) tried to make giggle because she giggled silently but in a very cute way with her whole face lighting up, her shoulder gently moving up and down, and her smile radiating joy and delight.
Sr. Mary Magdalene is especially remembered for her outstanding zeal for the Lord. Daily she would pray for each of her family members that they would have a happy and a holy death. Her students remember her catechism lessons which have sustained them through the ups and downs of life. She was always kind and ready to give a helping hand.
When Sister was close to celebrating her 50 years in religious life, she was assigned at St. Joseph in La Puente to help us in making meals. Every day we came into lunch, she always had all the food so perfectly arranged and put on the counter for us. Her desire to please God and her love for her sisters had her do a very simple thing in an extraordinary way.