Sister Charles Veronica CSJ, now Dr. Ann Fitzpatrick, was my first grade teacher.  Apart from my mother, Sister Charles has been the one most influential person in my life. In 1966, with Sister Charles Veronica as my sponsor, I became a candidate for the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Unfortunately, my father died suddenly at 42, leaving behind a young wife and six children. I was the oldest. The youngest was just 2 months old at the time. It was decided that I would not enter that year, rather, I would live at home to assist my mother. I was assigned to teach at St. Thomas Acquinas School on 8th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. Sister Charles became my mentor and colleague as we both taught the fifth grade. 

As life would enfold,  I chose a different path. Eventually I married and raised 4 children, however, I remained in the field of education teaching 25 years in the parochial schools.  Presently, I teach middle school students in the inner-city public school. (South Jamaica, Queens).  40 years have come and gone and I feel my life is coming full circle. My children are now grown and on April 14, 2006 I will complete my formation as an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph. When the last completes college and he is fully independent, I would hope that I am accepted as a candidate once again. Sister Ann Fitzpatrick has already accepted the invitation to be my sponsor the second time around. She is now 83.

Francine Davis

My fondest memory of a Sister, was my first grade teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bettendorf, Iowa.  The school was taught by the Sisters of Humility of the Congregation of Mary.  Sister Celeste was not much taller than we who filled our First Grade class.  I loved the nuns and when my grandfather went to work he would drop me off early so I could go to early morning mass and all the nuns and they let me sit with them in the choir. Sr. Celeste was patient, kind and loving but my fondest memory of her was the day after President Kennedy was elected, I went to school early and went to my classroom and Sister was dancing in circles with a flip chart on wheels with a picture of the new Catholic President. She was so happy. Later in life I wrote to her and I think she remembered me but I never kept up with the letters much to my regret.  Sister is in heaven now and I want all to know that she instilled a love of the Church and God in me that will carry me through life. I love you Sr. Celeste, Thank you!

Laura J. Birschbach 

As a first grade student in St. Michael the Archangel school in Levittown Pennsylvania , I was in a class of 98 students. We were taught by one teacher, Sister Mary Thomas of the Sisters of Mercy. There were four other first grade classes of the same size, the school was huge and it took a lot of disciple to keep all those kids under control.  Sister had no assistant teachers to help her teach our class and it wasn't very often you got called on, but it seems we always knew the answer.  All 98 of us thought that she was as close to God as anyone could get and we wanted all so much to please her.  She didn't coddle us and was at times quite stern keeping us in line but you could feel the love she gave each one of us, she cared.  It seems now when I think of her I can still feel the aura she emitted and see the glow that shown from her.  I knew her for the eight years I attended St. Michaels and she was a very special person to every student she taught, she affected us all the same way.  She loved her religious life, loved us kids and gave glory to God in everything she did.

Joann

To whom it may concern:

I want to first say how much I appreciate your web-site and the collection of memories you gather for those of us blest to have women religious in our
formation.  I have a story to tell of when I was a third grader.  My school in the city of Pittsburgh was staffed by the Seton Hill, Sisters of Charity
(Greensburg).  There were a large corp of them who taught about 200 of us in the early and mid-60's.  Anyway, the story involved the older Sister who was retired and worked in the office of our school, her name was Sister Joseph Marie.  She was a short, portly, Irish woman around eighty years of age.

One day I was in the school yard playing and fell.  When I fell I tore my pants from the bottom of the zipper all the way under to the middle of the
seat of my pants.  Of course I was terrified of what the others would say, so I ran to my teacher, Sister Robert Mary.  She in turn sent me to Sr.
Joseph Marie in the office.  As I sat in the chair anxiously waiting, Sister called my mother and had no luck reaching her. She then called my grandmother and again---no luck. She looked at me and said, "Oh well, I guess we'll have to take care of this ourselves."  I wondered what that
meant?  She took me by the hand and lead me out the side door of the school, across the convent yard into the convent.  Sister then took me into the small sewing room on the first floor.  She said, "Stand behind the chair and take your pants off."  I looked confused but did what Sister told me.  I
handed her my pants and she sat at the sewing machine.  Her face encircled in her black cap intent on what she was doing as she sewed my pants.  Within a minute she was finished and handed them to me.  I quickly put them on as she waited in the hall and I came out. She stopped in the kitchen where the Sister cook was preparing lunch and took a cookie off the counter and gave it to me.  She walked me back cross the yard into the school and right to the front door.  She said, "Now go back to Sister Robert Mary and let her know you're back." And I did as I was told. I joined my classmates at play and no one knew what happened. I went home that afternoon and told my mother what had happened.  The following morning she made a point of thanking Sister for her kindness; Sister said, "It was nothing dear."  But to me it was something---it saved a little boy a lot of embarrassment!

That little boy is now a Capuchin Franciscan Friar.  Sister Robert Mary, Sister Joseph Marie and many of the others are now with Jesus.  I think of their kindness and compassion and I thank my parents for entrusting me to them.  They truly were/are examples of charity.

Thank you,
Fr. Paul Zaborowski, OFM Cap.
Sacred Heart Friary, Washington, DC

I had the Sisters of Providence for twelve years and am very proud of it. When I was graduating eighth grade I had wanted to go to a public school but my parents wouldn't hear of it. I had to go to an all girl school. I am very happy that they stood their ground. The education I received was something no one can ever take away from me and I feel so fortunate and proud to say I had this order of nuns for twelve years.

I remember Sister Clarence from third grade. She was an old nun and always had the clicker in her hand. She demanded obedience and is remembered by everyone for that clicker. I remember Sister Rosemary from fifth grade. She was tough and in today's world would have been considered prejudice but you learned in her classroom. We
had to recite all of our prayers with the exact words, all of the beatitudes etc. and all of the tables from Zero to Twelve forward and backwards. Wherever you got stuck or made a mistake she made you sit down and when she got back to you, you had better be prepared to continue from where you left off. To this day no one can stump me with any one of the tables. I am so thankful that she was so demanding and I always say God Bless her. 

I had two eighth grade nuns whom I kept in touch with until their deaths. I visited Sister Joseph Irene down at St. Mary of the Woods a number of times. Our high school class celebrated it's 50 year reunion almost two years ago and while almost all of the nuns we had have passed away we have many happy memories of those years with them.

Elaine Adams Kalcsics

       Having been educated in the public school system through the 8th grade ( I attended Catholic boarding-high school), in Westchester County, NY, I received wonderful religious instruction (known in the 60's as CCD/release time !) from a variety of communities of Sisters, including the Sisters of Charity, Cenacle Sisters & the Sisters of Divine Compassion.  I would have to say that the Sisters who were the most influential in my life, are the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne (NY).  These incredible women, founded by author Nathaniel Hawthorne's convert daughter Rose in the late 1800's, have the sole mission to care for patients with incurable, terminal cancer.  In 1966, when I was age 7, my Protestant Grand-mother (my father's Mom) was one of these patients in the care of the Sisters at their Rosary Hill Home, still in existence today.  Even though it was a place for the dying, I've never been in a place filled with such joy.  The day on which my Grand-mother became a Catholic there (shortly before her death) I received my First Holy Communion in the Rosary Hill chapel.

       The example of the Sisters, many of whom were nurses, inspired my choice of professions.  Nearly forty years later, I am a Registered Nurse, caring for cancer patients.

George Mekeel  

      Six years after we wed, my husband asked me to take classes to learn about his Catholic Faith. I met with Redemptorist priest, Father Connor, one hour each week. I found myself very drawn to the Blessed Mother and the story of Fatima. After six months of classes, I converted to the Catholic Faith on August 16, 1976.

      Father Connor taught me well. My Catholic Faith has sustained me for twenty seven years. For twenty two of those years, I dealt with my daughter's neurological disorders, Tourette's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

      Even though I left the church, to attend a full gospel church for two years, I missed the peace of my Catholic Faith and returned. I have been back ten years, pouring myself into the rich, wonderful Catholic traditions. There has to be something very right and truthful in a Faith that would cause a woman to become Catholic, leave, and return to it! Thank you, Father Connor. Though you have been dead fifteen years, your lessons live on in my life.

Jacinta  

      After reading some of the wonderful stories of nuns on your web page, I decided to share some of my stories.  I am seventeen years old and go to a Catholic school.  We still hear the pre-Vatican II Tridentine Mass and the nuns who teach me wear full Dominican habits.  I am entering the Carmelite convent soon after I graduate.  They, too, wear the full habit still.  I have several stories, but I'll only write one now.

       When my mom and the Mother Prioress of the school told me that I would be leaving public school and coming to a Catholic school, I was devastated.  I cried so hard that I couldn't breathe.  Mother Prioress, a gentle, loving mother, just took my hand and promised that it would be all right.  As hard as I tried, I could not dislike her.  She is one of the greatest women I have ever met.  After founding our school and serving as its superior for nine years, she was called back to the Motherhouse in Europe.  However, she has never forgotten her "American girls", as she calls us, and always keeps us close to her heart.  On our recent trip to Europe, we had the chance to visit the school at which she is now teaching.  Mother was so happy to see her girls!  She met us at the gate, hugged every one of us, helped us carry our suitcases to our rooms and then watched us as we ate dinner.  The best surprise was that she was the nun chosen to wake us up the next morning.  It was so refreshing to wake up to such a loving and beloved face. Our one-day with her ended all too quickly.  We soon found ourselves hugging her goodbye.  She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and then I hurried into the bus so I would not see her tears and she would not see mine.  By the time she hugged all of us girls goodbye, everyone was crying openly, even her. She waved until we couldn't see her anymore and that was our last sight of her.  But we know that although we are far from her physically, we never truly leave her side, because she is the epitome of the word "Mother".

       I have been surrounded by Sisters for most of my life, having spent 15 years in Catholic schools, elementary school through college. My first teachers were Vincentians, a Slovak-American order, and they made sure that once we could write a coherent sentence, we entered every essay contest that came down the pike. Whether the subject was safety, fire prevention, or Americanism, if there was an essay contest, we would write and re-write until Sister was satisfied. (Today, educators call this "process writing"... some of us called it "torture.")

       The most influential Vincentian in my life was Sister MaryAnn Behary. As I found myself navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence, feeling perpetually awkward and left out, she found ways to encourage me and nurture my talents. She even managed to get our tiny school on a TV quiz show for eighth graders! We went up against a massive public school and lost, but our team put up an impressive performance, which none of us will ever forget.

       Later, I attended college at Seton Hill College (now  University) in Greensburg, PA. In my freshman year, Mother Seton was canonized, and the sisters held a festive celebration on our campus, complete with fireworks! That same year, my freshman composition teacher, Sister Lois Sculco,  wrote a note in one of my journal submissions comparing my writing to that of Annie Dillard. I'd never heard of her, but looked up her books and was astonished at the comparison. Slowly, my eyes were being open to a gift I'd received from God... the gift of words.

       I "grew up" to be the founding editor of our diocese's Catholic newspaper, and still write a monthly column in it called "From the Pew."  So many people - even strangers - tell me that my words have touched them in some way, or made them think more deeply about their faith. The gift nurtured by the sisters keeps on giving.

Janice Steinhagen

Just a brief note... the sisters who operate Seton Hill University, to which I refer in the story, are the Sisters of Charity, founded by St. Elizabeth Seton. 

Janice Steinhagen

       I was a freshman in a high school called Villa Maria Academy in New York. I was alone and scared, I had no one to turn to for directions or help on issues. There was this freshman teacher who was a nun. Her name was Sister Christine. She was a Sister of a Convent in Williamsville called Franciscan Missionary of the Divine Child. I had never heard of a Franciscan Nun before in my life. I have always gone to a catholic school and have been surrounded by Felician Nuns. This was a new experience for me to learn. Sister Christine was my mentor, my religion teacher, my friend and so much more. I am currently a senior at this high school. 

       For four years of my life Sister Christine has helped me, loved me, and cared for me, and will continue to do so. Sister has touched my life, and will continue to forever. The bestest friend in the world is the person you least suspect. I will never forget how she touched my life, and saved my life all in the grace of God. This is surely a lasting friendship worth saving.

 Deanna Chudy

       Sister Feliksa Gajowniczek was a member of the religious Order called the Sisters of Services (Siostry Sluzebniczki) in Poland. She was a very simple person, non-educated, but very pious, reliable, and self-effecting; apt to sacrifice for others.

       When the Germans invaded Poland and the Second World War began, the clergy in Poland were especially persecuted, kept in isolation camps, in labor or concentration camps. Sister Feliksa helped an organization whose mission was to take care of those who were being persecuted, by supplying them with food, messages, and when possible, aiding their escapes.

       Sister Feliksa was attached to the team who undertook the most dangerous tasks. After two years she was arrested, put into a prison and tortured to get information about other members of the team, but in vain. After several months she was sentenced to a concentration camp in Germany.

       In Ravensbruck Camp Sister Feliksa was ordered to look after patients who were infected with typhoid, and who were to be sentenced to the Gas Chamber. She had performed miracles to save many of them - one of those was my mother.

Miroslawa Pissarenko

       I learned early on that not very many people respect the poor. In the days of my youth, the Sisters of Christian Charity had domestic nuns who did the housekeeping and the cooking. Oh, how I loved to help them. The convent always smelled like a bakery. No, no. Much better than that.

       Sister Amalia never tired of making sandwiches for the hobos - as we called them in those days. Most were homeless, alcoholic, Sioux Indians. There nationalities did not matter to the nun. The men climbed the steep stairway to the convent's back door and asked for food. They were never turned away. And always she greeted with kindness.

       I never said a word or asked any questions. I just watched her in action and was flabbergasted by her stern gentleness. The hobos always bowed before leaving her. She'd return their gesture of respect by lowing her head. And in parting, she'd always walk backwards, as not to turn away from them. I credit this elderly nun for my feelings for the poor.

       As an adult I spent time at the Sisters' Motherhouse in Wilmette, Illinois, on several occasions. I ran into Sister Amalia - but she did not remember me. She was old and tired. The nuns all gave her a hard time: "Oh, Sister, you must remember him. He was with you every day." She didn't recall a single time I had helped her. It didn't bother me at all. Just seeing her wrinkled face, her bent body, and her humble smile, afforded me the opportunity to recall some of the richest lessons I'd ever learned. Today, Sister Amalia is in heaven. I only hope that now she remembers --- and prays for me.

Dan Paulos

A Booklet Designed To Help Explain The Origin Of Nuns And Sisters, Their Spiritual Attire And The Mysteries Surrounding Their Lifestyle In The Convent

The appearance of our Blessings Doll Collection has raised our appreciation of the elegant and sophisticated women of the Church to a whole new level. Many interested doll owners have been asking questions concerning the lives of these warm and spirited ladies. This booklet will hopefully help explain the lifestyles of Nuns and Sisters as well as the stages of becoming a professed Sister.

Nuns and Sisters have an extraordinary and rich tradition. While women through the ages have dedicated their lives to works of charity, Nuns and Sisters have been making history for over 1500 years. As early as 495 AD, these thoughtful and gracious ladies began serving members of the Church with sincerity and reverence.

Most people have used the term “Nun” to refer to any woman in vows; living a religious life.

However, Nuns, strictly speaking, live cloistered lives in enclosed convents and are rarely seen by the general public. Nuns typically spend their lives in seclusion, devoting themselves entirely to meditation and prayer. Nuns take solemn vows to which have a different interpretation of the vow of poverty than in the simple vows that the Sisters take.

Further, Sisters are involved in more visible and active works within the Church and its community. For example, your 8th grade Latin teacher in parochial school was a Sister, not a Nun.

The Stages of Becoming a Sister
There are three stages that a candidate for this religious life must experience. These stages progress over a period of five to seven years, and conclude with the Sister professing her perpetual vows. 

Postulancy
The first stage, postulancy, lasts from six months to a year. This time is spent studying the spiritual life and becoming accustomed to the daily routine of a Nun.

The postulant’s attire typically consists of a black pleated dress that reaches to mid-calf, and a waist-length shoulder cape with a starched white peter pan collar. A small, short veil with a white 
border is also worn, while black cotton stocking, black shoes and a black belt complete the ensemble.

At the end of postulancy, the candidate reconsiders whether she has been called to this holy and sacred way of life. At the same time, the community of Sisters are evaluating her sincerity and disposition for community life.

Novitiate
The second stage, novitiate, lasts one full year. The novitiate begins with the candidate dressed as a bride, coming into the convent chapel with her fellow postulants (novitiate classes have been as large as 70 postulants). Imagine the splendor and glory of an entire class attending this spiritual occasion.

During the ceremony, each postulant is sponsored by a Spiritual Mother, (a Sister that she knew before enrollment and who guides her during her first months as an applicant). The Spiritual Mother also makes her habit and dresses the novice for the ceremony. This includes cutting off the novice’s hair so the close-fitting coif and veil will fit properly and to stand as a symbol to signify the candidate’s renouncing of the vanities of the world. At this point, the Novice wears the complete habit of her Order, (with the exception of the white veil that distinguishes her as a novice.).

It is also at this ceremony that the Nuns give up their previous name and adopt a new name in honor of a favorite saint (or perhaps their parents). The presiding Bishop gives a lighted candle to the novice while announcing, “You shall no longer be known as Jennifer (for example), but as Sister Mary Bernadette, your new name in religion.”

The significance of the name change stems from biblical times, when Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter, Saul became  Paul, etc. These men changed their names when they gave themselves to God.

Mary ‘M’. or Marie is always placed after the title ‘Sister’ in honor of Mary the Blessed Virgin. 

For example, Sister Mary Catherine-Joseph, Sister Mary John Therese, or (in honor of Our Lady), Sister Marie of the Holy Angels, etc. The superiors held the additional title of ‘Mother’, as in Mother Sr. Elizabeth of Jesus.

Further, to identify the order that they belong to, the Sisters sign their names using initials that signify their community. For example, O.P. (Dominicus), O.S.F. (Franciscans), O.S.B. (Benedictines) and R.S.M. (Sisters of Mercy).

You may want to give your Blessings Nun Doll a name. Perhaps you will name her after a Sister from your school days that you want to remember in a special way. Or, choose one of these popular names:

• Sister Marie Michelle 

• Sister Marie Alphonsus

• Sister Marie Angelina

• Sister Marguerite Marie

• Sister Mary Francis

• Sister Rose Marie

• Sister Agnes Marie

• Sister Marie Immaculate

• Sister Marie  Therese

• Sister Mary Anastasia

• Sister Mary Elizabeth

• Sister Mary Catherine

During the novitiate, candidates study the Rules and Constitutions of their community. They become deeply involved in the practice of mental prayer (meditation) and in the teachings of the Church. No secular studies are allowed at this time. Learning Gregorian chant, church history and their community history is also highly stressed.

Novices, as a rule, do not go outside the convent and are allowed only four family visits: Christmas, Easter, Corpus Christi and Thanksgiving.

Profession of Vows
At the end of the candidate’s novitiate, she seeks the advice of her Spiritual Mother regarding whether she is ready to advance to her profession of vows. Temporary vows are taken so that the newly professed nun can experience the religious life in its full sense for three to five years (before taking her final vows). During this time, she resumes her college work to prepare for whatever apostolate her Order is involved in.

The vows of a religious order are taken so that the candidates can follow Christ in His poverty, His chastity and His obedience, and also to follow up His invitation to “go sell what thou hast, and come follow me.”

The Vow of Poverty means giving up all ownership, and sharing with her Sisters all that is needed to sustain themselves. Permission is needed to buy anything or accept any gift.

The Vow of Chastity means remaining a virgin, or (in the case of a widow), to remain pure, for the love of God, for the remainder of their lives.

The Vow of Obedience means sacrificing their will. In other words, they will accept any assignment for work given to them, and they will ask permission to come and go from the Convent.

These three vows require a total commitment to Almighty God as a way of life. A newly professed Nun or Sister receives a profession crucifix to be worn around her neck and suspended over her breast. Some orders also wear a wedding band, to symbolize their marriage to Christ.

The following is a general formula of vows taken by Nuns/Sisters at final profession. You may wish to use the name you have chosen for your Blessings Nun Doll in the appropriate space.

Profession Day

“At last Jesus will be mine and I will be His. What more can I desire? The whole world could not satisfy my heart, for it belongs to Him whom the angels adore and the moon and sun stand in wonder. I will espouse Christ, my beloved, King of Heaven and earth and wish to remain His bride forever.

Therefore, I, Sr.  _______________ vow and promise Poverty, Chastity and Obedience to Almighty God in the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels and saints, the whole heavenly court, to all my superiors and their successors according to Our Holy Rule and Constitutions, and I hope with God’s grace to persevere faithfully until death.

Amen.”