Be Still

As I walked down the path along the outdoor stations of the cross, the golden sun streamed softly through the trees and the colors of autumn lay across the ground in all the leaves. The still beauty around me reminded me of Elijah who went out to the mountain to wait for God. Elijah did not find God in the "wind", "earthquake", or "fire", but in the "tiny whispering sound". Yes, in the most unassuming way, God came, hidden yet known to Elijah. It is in the silences, the unassuming moments of everyday life, that I have discovered Christ. It is in these moments I have found my greatest treasures!

As I entered my first year in the novitiate, I discovered far beyond my expectation the beauty of encountering God in silence. Living in a culture that lives on noisy technology, I did have some adjusting to do when I said goodbye to my cell phone, laptop, and listening to music at any given moment. However, I soon began to hear more than I ever heard before, "the tiny whispering" voice of God. Having the interior and exterior freedom to attune myself to Him, to strive to be always open to His Word, this is a gift I cannot price! When I look back at the most precious moments of my life it is when I am still and I know God is near. Each day at Mass when I am kneeling silently and simply waiting, God descends from Heaven hiding Himself in the small white host. Throughout this year God has spoken the words of Psalm 46 to my heart: "Be still and know that I am God."

-submitted by Sister M. Bernadette, First Year Novice

Older and Wiser

So often in looking at our life, we look at the youngest among us - and that is a good thing. There is joy and energy, the excitement of the new beginning. That is the time nearest to those who are considering the life for the first time; those who are discerning God's call in their lives.

But it is also a very good thing to look at those who have been around the block a few times. There is wisdom there, and light, and a joy that is deeper because it has been lived long term.

Those who have given their lives to the community...

Sister M. Stephanie

Those who have served in hidden ways...

Sister M. Dominica

Those who have guided us for years...

Mother M. Ingeborg with Sister M. Talitha

Those who have loved much...

Sister M. Wiltraud with Sister M. Benedicta

Those who "rest" after years of service in the missions...

Sister M. Henrietta with Sister M. Consolata

A Diamond and GoldenJubliee

On October 4th, the Solemnity of St. Francis, we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Mother M. Ingeborg and the Golden Jubilee of Sister Ann Marie. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of their consecrated lives and years of loving service to the Church. You can see more pictures from the day on our website. Please join us in praying for these Sisters!

The Magic of Ordinary Days

The longest season in the liturgical year is Ordinary Time.

God's wisdom in the Church is seen in this most unremarkable fact. We can only become holy in ordinary time...

In recreation...

Sister Mary Jude and Sister M. Henrietta

In prayer...

Sister M. Chiara

In community...

Sister M. Mercedes and Sister M. Antonia

In the daily work we are given...

Sister M. Catherine

Sister M. Wencesla

Sister M. Luka

Sister M. Chiara and Sister Marysia

In all that we are and all that we do, by living in union with the Lord, striving to manifest His grace, we imperceptibly are changed. Life lived in Christ becomes holy - in ordinary time.

Welcome Back!

We welcome back our Reverend Mother Margaretha Maria and Sister M. Engratia to the United States! They will be here visiting us for a few weeks.

You can check out more pictures from their arrival last night on our website!

Please pray for us!

Positive Poverty

Over the last month, by the hand of Divine Providence, I have had the opportunity (or been required!) to speak publicly about the religious life of our congregation to a variety of different groups, in a variety of situations. From one-on-one conversations with teens interested in (or curious about) our life, to a full presentation to the Serra Club of Kansas City, people have been interested in hearing about why we do what we do.


One of the things they "get" most easily is the vow of poverty. Obedience is simply a mystery - and chastity a completely alien idea - but the concept that a holy person should be poor seems to be taken for granted. Sometimes the understanding is a bit distorted, but the idea that "I give up everything for God" seems to be a prerequisite for the authentic living of a godly life.

It just makes sense.

It has several pieces to it. One is the concept that I love Him so much that I give Him everything. A further ideal is identification with the Cross. Another has to do with common life - how can I have something that my Sisters don't have, just because I have rich friends or a family who is generous? It is the gospel teaching of "he who would be perfect..."


The poverty of our congregation, like everything else about us, is practical. We are an apostolic community, so we need things. We must have cars to reliably get to our apostolic work on time. We must have stable housing because we have a common life. We must have money with which to feed, clothe and educate our Sisters. But, in all things, our life is simple. It is detached. I do not have that which I do not really need.

And everything is held in common - for the good of the poor, of the children, of the sick. Everything is given to us as a sacred trust.

And in the end, really, everything is His, to dispose of as He sees fit.

New Life

Monica McKenzie, Stephanie Gantt, Katie Baumgarten

On September 8, the Feast of the Birth of Mary, our American Province was blessed with new life – the entrance of three young women as postulants. After a beautiful Mass in honor of our Lady, they received medals of St. Francis from Mother M. Regina Pacis, signifying the beginning of their postulancy.

Stephanie Gantt, who grew up in Washington State, became acquainted with our Sisters while doing post-doctoral research in biochemistry at the University of Illinois in Champaign. She met our Sisters who teach at St. Matthew’s in Champaign and then visited our Motherhouse here in Alton. Stephanie heard God’s call to surrender everything to Him and made plans to enter our Congregation. This past summer, Stephanie drove over 6,000 miles across the country, visiting family and friends in Michigan, Texas, and Washington State.

Katie Baumgarten, from central Wisconsin, heard God’s call while attending college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She first met our Sisters while chaperoning at Adventure Camp in northern Wisconsin before coming to visit for a Profession ceremony and then for a discernment retreat here in Alton. Katie has had the privilege of participating in three World Youth Days – Toronto, Cologne, and Sydney.

Monica McKenzie, from St. Mary Magdalene parish in St. Louis, graduated from high school this past May. She was active in the Cathedral choirs and enjoys crafts. Monica met our Sisters by coming on one of our discernment retreats, which she heard about the same afternoon it was to begin.

In the mornings, Katie and Monica are helping at our St. Francis Day Care Center, while Stephanie is at our St. Anthony’s Health Center. In the afternoons, they have time for prayer, spiritual reading, and classes. We are grateful to God for calling Stephanie, Katie, and Monica to be postulants in our community. Please join us in praying for them as they continue to seek God’s plan for their lives.