Sr. Mary Joane Caritas and Sr. Jennifer Thecla made their profession as Daughters of St. Paul on June 28, 2002. With joy the community welcomed these new sisters into our midst.

From the homily given by Fr. Matthew, Provincial Superior of the Society of St. Paul:

…I went onto the website of the Daughters of St. Paul and noticed there was a section “Meet Those in Formation.” I clicked there and found a page from Sr. Jennifer when she was Postulant. Sr. Jennifer said, “I went to visit the sisters in Philadelphia…. As soon as I walked in, I felt at home.” Then she visited the sisters at the Motherhouse in Boston. Again she says, “As soon as I walked in the front door, the same feeling of being home filled my soul.” We all need to feel at home. These two sisters have found their home with the Daughters of St. Paul.

Cardinal McCarrick Washington, DC, at the National Convention of the Knights of Columbus last year, told a story about lifeguards preparing for their final test before certification. They were asked three things.

1) Have you taken everything you need?

2) Are you sure you can handle the waves?

3) Do you really want this?

1. Sr. Joane and Sr. Jennifer, have you taken everything you need? What we need more than anything else is faith. St. Paul writes to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. The Lord stood by my side and he gave me strength.”

2. Are you sure you can handle the waves? An adventure is not always pleasant. Our founder Fr. Alberione wrote to us: A greater gift of sacrifice and a more profound piety is required in these apostolates. Vain attempts, sacrifices of time and sleep, insufficient funds, frequent misunderstandings, spiritual perils of every kind, astute choice of means…. Save others, but first save yourself! Saints are needed who lead the way along paths still untrod and in part still unmarked. This is not the business of amateurs, but of true apostles. Therefore, seek the necessary enlightenment before the Tabernacle; and the graces of perseverance through the universal mediation of Mary, assumed into heaven.”

3. Sisters, do you really want this? You have spent five years of preparation for this day when you would say with all your heart that this is what you want. And we accompany you now with our support and love.

You have completed one part of a lifelong journey. With your family beside you, with the Lord in the tabernacle guiding you, then you can truly put out into the deep with all your enthusiasm, energy and inspiration. Those of us who have made this journey in the past are reminded here of all that this call has meant for us. It also reminds us that in the future you will walk beside us on this journey. Today we thank you for allowing us to walk this journey with you.