Sister Vincent Marie
of the Sacred Heart (Finnegan), O.C.D.
I am grateful to my parents who brought me to the waters of baptism, raised me in the Catholic Faith and provided me with a solid Catholic education. It was an easy transition from my family into Carmel. It has been my joyful treasure. In my Carmelite vocation I have found a loving and supportive family spirit, and the grace of living under the same roof as Our Lord. Through the years I have had the special privilege to share so many years of my life with sisters who knew Mother Luisita. I am deeply grateful for the numerous people that God has brought into my life and for the privilege of serving and developing an enduring and deep bond of friendship with them.
Get to know Sister:
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Saint Louis Missouri and lived there until I was three years old. Then my family moved to Evansville, Indiana. At age seven, we moved to Inglewood, California where I lived until age sixteen when I entered the convent.
In one word, how would you describe your time as a religious?
Joy-filled blessings.
What drew you to Carmel?
As a Junior Volunteer at Sacred Heart Retreat House I was introduced to Mother Luisita and as I began to understand her charism it stole my heart and I realized that this is where God wanted me to be.
What tips do you have for younger religious on how to persevere in their vocation?
- Never give up your prayer life – it keeps you grounded in God’s love for you and gives you the strength to overcome any obstacles.
- With the eyes of faith see God’s plan through the daily circumstances of life.
- Stay close to our Blessed Mother – through your daily fiat Mary always leads us to God.
For you personally, what does it mean to be a Carmelite?
- Like Elijah, a Carmelite hears the voice of God in prayer and is impelled to go out with zeal to bring others to know, love and serve God.
- Constantly living in the Presence of God unfolds the depths of God’s love for me.