Praying, Living, & Loving the Franciscan Way
Sunday, July 19th, at Festa Italiana in Milwaukee, all women and men religious were honored for the Year of Consecrated Life at a inspiring liturgy, benediction and reception.
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Sister Jubilarians were honored on July 16 at St. Coletta of Wisconsin in Jefferson. It was such a celebration of joy, reunion and inspiration. The sisters have been at St. Coletta since 1904. Thanks to all who made this day so special!
As told to Sr. Adele Thibaudeau, OSF Written 7-14-15 Sister Elaine told me how she was selected to transport the rings for the Chinese sisters in China who were to take their final vows. She was traveling to our mission in China as a missionary. For safe- keeping the sisters devised a plan to get the several rings safely to the sisters. It was decided that the rings would be sown into the many pleats of the black wool habit at the hem line. The black dress or habit belonged to Sister Elaine. The trip took many days on the open sea in a huge ship. Sister Elaine recalled trying to look perfectly calm as she walked the deck for fresh air. However each time a Japanese soldier on patrol would walk by, she felt startled. The story ends well. In this way she was able to safely deliver the final profession rings to the jubilant sisters. The rings are gold with a Christogram inscribed on them. That means 3 letters taken from the Greek are letters of the holy name of Jesus. St. Bernardine of Siena, an early Franciscan preacher had great passion and love for the name of Jesus. He shared this devotion widely throughout Italy on his preaching trips. He blessed people with a wooden depiction of the Christogram with illuminating rays surrounding it. People claimed healings and other miracles during the blessing. Still today you will find this depiction in both Assisi and Siena and on many altars worldwide. The professed sisters of St. Francis of Assisi still wear this ring today and treasure its precious meaning and Franciscan origins. Sister Beatrice Smith, OSF was honored to receive her brother’s medal for service in the Korean War. The medal was issued in appreciation by the South Korean Government. PFC George Smith was a paratrooper killed in action in 1951. He was 18 years old. Senator Ron Johnson presented the medal to the family on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Motherhouse, South Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI. Mary Herrick, first cousin of Sister Beatrice, excels in family genealogy. She discovered the availability of the medal and arranged the event. Kim Dae-jung, President of the Republic of Korea wrote the Letter of Appreciation to all Veterans or Family members who served in the Korean War. Any U.S. service member who served in combat in Korea during the war can qualify for the medal. |
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