By Sister Carmelina, O.C.D.
“Getting to know you; getting to know all about you.”
This is the story of every marriage (especially in the first years), and Mother Luisita had this amazing experience when, at the age of 15, she was married to Dr. Pascual Rojas (age 30) according to the customs of the day in Mexico.
They grew to love each other deeply and to complement each other’s natural temperaments. She and Pascual happily worked together in the little hospital of the Sacred Heart which they built for the sick poor in their town, and where she was the administrator. Their great sadness was that God did not grant them, children. However, they decided that the poor, would be their ‘family’, and, together, they served them with generous and selfless love. Unfortunately, after only 14 years of marriage, Pascual died and Mother Luisita unexpectedly became a widow. But that story will come later.
Couples face many challenges in marriage. Mother and Pascual exemplify some of the greatest qualities of a strong marriage: patience and understanding with differences and weaknesses (their age difference was a challenge); consulting and collaborating on finances and other decisions (plans for the hospital and charity work); spiritual unity in prayer and values (Pascual drew closer to God through her example and prayer).
When Pascual died, Mother Luisita grieved long and hard, but she realized that their mission of loving service must go on, and she carried on for eight years. When she was certain that all was in order she entered the Carmelite Monastery of Guadalajara. However, her story was just beginning. You will learn more in the coming months.
