It has been nine years today since Mother Teresa of Calcutta died. The Missionaries of Charity, the religious community she founded, marked her anniversary of death with a special feast day. Check out the Washington Post article “Calcutta Nuns Mark Mother Teresa’s Death” (September 5, 2006).
When I was a grad student in Toronto, I lived with the IBVM sisters. There was a Missionary of Charity sister who lived there as well. I got to know her well. When she moved to California, I went for a couple weeks to see her and go on retreat. We visited their convents in Tijuana and San Diego. It was an amazing experience. I learned a lot about Mother Teresa (I was privileged to use her shower bucket in Tijuana) and their lifestyle. For a time, I considered looking into the Missionaries of Charity. I greatly admired (and continue to admire) their unwavering commitment to care for people who are considered the poorest of the poor. I also met some Missionaries of Charity in Haiti when I was an IHM volunteer (pre-religious life for me). In Port-au-Prince the Missionaries of Charity cared for children who were orphaned and often very sick or dying. While there, I did what the sisters did — I held and talked to or cooed at the little children. It was very difficult; and I was only there for two weeks. These women dedicate their lives to serving the poorest of the poor. I pray that Mother Teresa will continue to watch over her sisters and brothers.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Jerome 09.08.06 at 10:58 pm
I love Mother Teresa. I read her writings often and apply many of her teachings in the classroom. Beautiful soul we should all seek to imitate in some form!
Nic 12.25.06 at 12:54 pm
Why did you decide not to become a Sister of Charity? I am considering a vocation and I was just curious about how you decided.
Sister Julie 12.31.06 at 9:46 am
Hi Nic … I love the Missionaries of Charity. But I don’t think it was the right fit for me. When I met the IHMs and visited their Motherhouse in Monroe, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of this being IT. Granted I wasn’t really sure that I wanted to be a sister at the time and was quick to run the other way, but the feeling of being at home with the IHMs was unmistakeable. For someone like myself who likes to rely on logic and reason to figure things out, it was a pretty big “sign” for me. I was totally taken by how I experienced God through the IHM community. I’d like to tell you that I decided by prayerfully weighing the pros and cons of each, but it just didn’t happen that way. I am grateful for how the Missionaries of Charity nurtured my vocation, and I continue to be inspired by them. I hope and pray that I may grow in my ability to recognize and serve the needs of the poorest of the poor as their life and work give witness to.
MaryEllen 01.07.07 at 3:04 pm
Hi Sister Julie,
I found this site while googling Haiti’s Missionaries of Charity, which I love. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to help in the abandoned baby hospital, the home for dying women and home for dying men over the past 6 years either before or after I help in Jolivert in the north. My favorite is the abandoned baby hospital, purely because they are so little and have no vocabulary skills to communicate with each other, and need lovin’ while being cared for as we all do. I had to cancel my last visit there in the summer ‘06 due to the violence in the neighborhood, but look forward to a time when I can return to help the sisters there. I’m so glad you had a good experience there, and am blad you found a good fit for your vocation.
PS- are you living in Monroe, MI??
Sister Julie 01.08.07 at 8:03 am
Hi MaryEllen, Thank you for your email. You brought back a lot of memories for me. I’m living in Chicago now and working at Loyola Press, a Catholic publishing company here. I get back to Monroe as often as I can. Sister J
MaryEllen 01.15.07 at 11:52 am
I’m glad you are able to return to Monroe occasionally, it is a beautiful building your order has. My husband and his siblings all attended St. Mary’s/Catholic Central in the 60s and 70s so I’ve been past it many times for family events (they grew up in tiny Carleton). Enjoy Chicago too, so glad to chat. ME.
Gabriel 10.23.07 at 12:40 am
Sister, I so need your help. I have a friend who has decided to become a Sister of Charity Nun. I was happy and sad at the same time, because of the short time that I have known her, sorry Sister I fell In love with her. I tried to keep it inside, not to tell her, because I did not what to have dad vibes or give her mixed feeling, since we got along so well. But it was undeniable My Heart was bleeding in agony tell her. I was saying to myself tell her or you will regret It. You only live once and If You let her go without telling her it will eat you up later. So I did, I gave her note ’saying,
“My Beloved Elsa inside of this envelope contains a few thoughts of how I feel and hope you feel the same if not, nothing can take it way, PS I will miss You”.
Inside the envelope where notes saying along the words like “Every time I see you bring me happiness and joy to my life and I apreciate your friendship.
Sister was I wrong in doing this?
Did I insult her Vocation?
Should I pray to God Forgiveness?
Where did I go so Wrong?
I ask these questions because she later scolded me because of the letter and notes that I gave her. I still love her and forgiven her for those word she said that penetrated the deepest part of my Hart and Soul. She is leaving soon,
?What do you think should I DO?
“May God Be with you always”, and thank for reading my plea for help.
Sister Julie 10.29.07 at 6:15 pm
Gabriel, Thanks for writing. I can’t really say if you were right or wrong. On one level, I think it is important in a relationship to have a sense of where you are with one another. On another level, persons in a relationship need to respect and support significant decisions (provided the its not against one’s conscience). This may mean being supportive even if you don’t agree or if it goes against what you want. As I’m sure you know, it’s difficult to find the line between these two. I’m glad that you are still able to love her after sharing with one another what you feel. Your relationship with her will undoubtedly change (as relationships do whenever one makes a life decision). But hang in there provided you can be peaceful with a friendship relationship. Pray for her and support her in her decision. It’s got to be a challenging time for her. Blessings to you and to Elsa.
Gabriel 10.31.07 at 1:25 pm
Thanks Sister Julie, For your words of encouragement and understanding. Elsa is speaking to me now and I’m giving her all the support despite how I feel. I will be praying for her and that the Lord will someday let us see each other again.
Love is tough even if it means letting go. Thank again sister for your kind words and that The Lord continue blessing you in your ministry and online helping others like me.