Nunday is here and we’re on a roll with IHM Sisters. Yes, it’s true, I am a bit partial to IHMs because they are my nuns!
This photo and story were sent in from Kaz, a regular here at A Nun’s Life.
Sister Elizabeth Zeestraten is an IHM Sister who just turned 100 on December 31, 2008. The Monroe Evening News online edition featured a story about her – IHM sister rings in century of life.
Writes Kaz,
I liked reading how she summarized her life as the article stated with St. Paul’s words of wisdom found in Thessalonians 5:16-18, which reads: “Rejoice always, never cease praying and render constant thanks; such is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”
You can also find a writeup about Sister Elizabeth on our IHM Sisters website. What amazes me is that Sister Elizabeth has been a Catholic nun for 77 years!!! WOW! She is an inspiration to me.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, 100 years and 77 years! What a fabulous witness.
We had a 90+ year old sister reach 75 yrs in my province–the first one to do so. When she was introduced to the retreat director who was told that she was a diamond jubilarian, he took her hand and jokingly said, “Sister, I will pray for your perseverance.” She looked him straight in the eye and said, “Well, ya never know!”
God bless Sister Elizabeth!
I don’t have any photos I can offer you myself. But our diocesan paper just wrote an article on a documentary being filmed about “secret sisters” of Central and Eastern Europe during the years of communism. The film will be entitled, “Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism.” I don’t know where this film will be shown or when it will be completed. I’ll keep my eyes open for it though.
What I can share is a website from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia where they post a brief exhibit on some of these European sisters. It is truly fascinating. These secret sisters were amazingly courageous. You can view this at http://www.csjkansas.org under “News”. You will find plenty of “nun pictures” with their sometimes sad but inspiring stories there.
dee
What the heck does “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” mean?
No worries! If you post a link that is considered “suspect” by my blog software, then it automatically goes into moderation which means that I have to take a look at it before it can go public. This serves as a safeguard for me because blogs often get lots of spam. Also, first-time commenters on A Nun’s Life have their comments moderated as well for the same reason.
Ok, thanks. The link I provided is quite legitimate. It’s excellent. I hope you all view it. dee
Sister Elizabeth, I love the youthful “set” of your chin and your spanky glasses. I wasn’t at all surprised to read that you love playing the harmonica and that you have been happy. At 100, that happiness shows in the youthful energy that radiates from you, even in a static photograph. Congratulations, Sister, and thank you for your beautiful image and example as I continue in my own discernment process. Happy Birthday!
Dearest Sister Elizabeth Zeestraten:
My prayer for you…..
Glory to our majestic god the highest, and peace to his people on earth. The word of god existed before the creation of the universe and yet was born among us in time. We praise and worship him as we cry out in joy. Let the earth ring out with joy, for you have come to this world with you at your birth. fill us with joy by the continuous gift of your life father. Father, I lift to you this day sister Elizabeth Zeestraten, She has walked a path of loving dedication. Father, you who are so loving to each of your children hear my prayer. We all our like fossils, for you formed each of us in your image. As you created the heavens and earth you created the wonders of the world. Father our loving gentle kind spirited sister, who has journey with you on this earthly place of ours, has seen many sunrises and sunsets. Father she has blessed many a traveler with your promise. She has nursed many a wound not received by times of war, but by times of turmoil. She has never grieved with the blessing that you chose to enhance her with, she has walked with the light that you placed on her heart and mind. She is humble in your presence and always awed by your promise. She has filled so many unbelievers with your wholesome word that you placed on her lips. She is devoted to you in every way. As a bride to a bridegroom she has fulfilled each promise that she took apron her being. She is pureness in the sight of your loving will. She is kind and giving. She has never closed her eyes to a job left undone. Father I ask you today to fill her heart and soul with the knowledge that you are with her at her side. Breath on her your will for she will take apron her shoulders your most humblest deed. Bless her as she receives your will to the last days of her earthly walk. She stands firm in her faith and she has been a loving servant. Heavenly father hear my prayer. For each of us walk the path of perseverance that you chose for each of us to undertake. Thank you heavenly father for shining in our personal lives as we touched others with our humblest blessing. Amen……. Gaile
Wow , I am impressed. I am your brother Peter’s grandson, and I have meet you twice, but it is awesome that you are still doing Gods work here on earth. God Bless You.
Dear Michael, How nice to hear from you! I will be sure to pass this along to Sister Elizabeth.