Our Mother’s Visit to the United States

29 October 2024

Our Mother, accompanied by Sr. Maria-Theresia, her assistant, went to visit the Oblate communities in the United States from September 13 to 25, 2024. During their stay, Sister Rachel received the Habit and began her postulancy. Sr. Maria-Theresia recounts:

Arrival in Childs

At the Philadelphia airport, what a joy to be welcomed by our two dear Sisters Anne-Elizabeth and John-Elizabeth! Another good hour by car, and we arrived in Childs. All our Sisters were joyfully awaiting the arrival of our Mother. After the joy of the reunion, the offering of this visit to the Master, we were happy, after this long day, to retire to a room prepared with that touch of Salesian delicacy so palpable in each of our communities. 

Fr. Mahoney

Visit to Philadelphia

On Saturday, September 14, the afternoon ended with a visit to Father Shaun Mahoney, pastor of the parish of the “Sacred Heart”, a modest parish, in this large city of Philadelphia. Father Shaun has opened a house in his parish to welcome young women, students or already in a profession, who wish to live in a place conducive to discerning the vocation to which God is calling them. He is also in charge of a similar home for young men. This house, adjoining the church, was formerly inhabited by a religious community. A small chapel is part of this house.

This is how we met two of the current tenants: Angelina, a student, and Silvana, a teacher, while preparing a doctorate in mathematics. As far as possible, Sister Frances-Carol tries to join this group regularly, during occasional meetings. Silvana regrets that there is not an Oblate in residence in the house; Father Shaun regrets it even more… Let us pray for all these young people, that many of them may hear the call to the priesthood or to religious life!

The ceremony

Wednesday, September 18th; the sky is a little grey, but joy is everywhere! All the students of Mount Aviat Academy, in uniform, take their places in this large room where the families of our two Sisters – Sister Laurence-Thérèse who is celebrating her jubilee of 60 years of religious profession and Sister Rachel – have their reserved seats in the front rows. The students perform all the songs beautifully prepared and accompanied by an incredibly talented musician. However, this man has been disabled since birth, but it seems that he has music ‘in him’. In addition, the beauty of the songs is enhanced by two soloists with admirable voices: a brother of Sister Laurence-Thérèse on the one hand and Sister Rachel’s brother on the other.

Father Paul, Oblate, presided over the celebration, surrounded by Father Vogt, superior of the Oblate community of Childs, as well as Father Shaun. When the moment arrived when Father Paul was to announce the new name that our dear postulant Sister would henceforth bear, the silence in the room intensified even more: Sister Rachel-Thérèse… All faces light up with a big smile, the joy is unanimous! Then the Eucharist continues with the renewal of vows by Sister Laurence-Thérèse. His companion by profession, Sister Patricia-Marie, is bedridden in a nursing home a quarter of an hour’s drive from here.

Prise d'Habit de Sr Rachel

Towson

The afternoon of Thursday 19th was devoted to the visit of the “Immaculate Conception” School where our Sisters Miriam-Elizabeth and Audrey-Françoise go every day. The director who, after the rapid departure of Sister Suzan-Louise, has taken over the reins of the establishment, welcomes us with great joy and with a gentleness that seems to be part of herself. All the students, with their teachers, are happy to greet the visitors, in groups.

Enfants avec notre Mère et Sr Maria-Theresia

Do you know what everyone likes about this school? It’s the teachers! And their answers are spontaneous. There is, of course, also sport, the quality teaching that is given, friends and for the little ones: play! This year, the leitmotif for all students is: to have an attitude of gratitude. Each week, the students who best fit it receive a T-shirt with this inscription on one side and the school’s logo on the other. They seem happy to be there. Sister Susan-Louise’s prayer must accompany them, there is no doubt.

On Friday, September 20th, we are expected at our Oblate Fathers’ house, 5 minutes by car from here, for Mass at noon. Our Fathers built a dwelling large enough to accommodate the elderly Fathers and Brothers; Currently, there are 29 of them, including some younger ones. This closeness to the Fathers allows our Sisters to have the privilege of daily Mass in their chapel.

Our Mother’s journey then continued with visits to the Communities of Colombia.

Our Mother, accompanied by Sr. Maria-Theresia, her assistant, went to visit the Oblate communities in the United States from September 13 to 25, 2024. During their stay, Sister Rachel received the Habit and began her postulancy. Sr. Maria-Theresia recounts:

Arrival in Childs

At the Philadelphia airport, what a joy to be welcomed by our two dear Sisters Anne-Elizabeth and John-Elizabeth! Another good hour by car, and we arrived in Childs. All our Sisters were joyfully awaiting the arrival of our Mother. After the joy of the reunion, the offering of this visit to the Master, we were happy, after this long day, to retire to a room prepared with that touch of Salesian delicacy so palpable in each of our communities. 

Fr. Mahoney

Visit to Philadelphia

On Saturday, September 14, the afternoon ended with a visit to Father Shaun Mahoney, pastor of the parish of the “Sacred Heart”, a modest parish, in this large city of Philadelphia. Father Shaun has opened a house in his parish to welcome young women, students or already in a profession, who wish to live in a place conducive to discerning the vocation to which God is calling them. He is also in charge of a similar home for young men. This house, adjoining the church, was formerly inhabited by a religious community. A small chapel is part of this house.

This is how we met two of the current tenants: Angelina, a student, and Silvana, a teacher, while preparing a doctorate in mathematics. As far as possible, Sister Frances-Carol tries to join this group regularly, during occasional meetings. Silvana regrets that there is not an Oblate in residence in the house; Father Shaun regrets it even more… Let us pray for all these young people, that many of them may hear the call to the priesthood or to religious life!

The ceremony

Wednesday, September 18th; the sky is a little grey, but joy is everywhere! All the students of Mount Aviat Academy, in uniform, take their places in this large room where the families of our two Sisters – Sister Laurence-Thérèse who is celebrating her jubilee of 60 years of religious profession and Sister Rachel – have their reserved seats in the front rows. The students perform all the songs beautifully prepared and accompanied by an incredibly talented musician. However, this man has been disabled since birth, but it seems that he has music ‘in him’. In addition, the beauty of the songs is enhanced by two soloists with admirable voices: a brother of Sister Laurence-Thérèse on the one hand and Sister Rachel’s brother on the other.

Father Paul, Oblate, presided over the celebration, surrounded by Father Vogt, superior of the Oblate community of Childs, as well as Father Shaun. When the moment arrived when Father Paul was to announce the new name that our dear postulant Sister would henceforth bear, the silence in the room intensified even more: Sister Rachel-Thérèse… All faces light up with a big smile, the joy is unanimous! Then the Eucharist continues with the renewal of vows by Sister Laurence-Thérèse. His companion by profession, Sister Patricia-Marie, is bedridden in a nursing home a quarter of an hour’s drive from here.

Prise d'Habit de Sr Rachel

Towson

The afternoon of Thursday 19th was devoted to the visit of the “Immaculate Conception” School where our Sisters Miriam-Elizabeth and Audrey-Françoise go every day. The director who, after the rapid departure of Sister Suzan-Louise, has taken over the reins of the establishment, welcomes us with great joy and with a gentleness that seems to be part of herself. All the students, with their teachers, are happy to greet the visitors, in groups.

Enfants avec notre Mère et Sr Maria-Theresia

Do you know what everyone likes about this school? It’s the teachers! And their answers are spontaneous. There is, of course, also sport, the quality teaching that is given, friends and for the little ones: play! This year, the leitmotif for all students is: to have an attitude of gratitude. Each week, the students who best fit it receive a T-shirt with this inscription on one side and the school’s logo on the other. They seem happy to be there. Sister Susan-Louise’s prayer must accompany them, there is no doubt.

On Friday, September 20th, we are expected at our Oblate Fathers’ house, 5 minutes by car from here, for Mass at noon. Our Fathers built a dwelling large enough to accommodate the elderly Fathers and Brothers; Currently, there are 29 of them, including some younger ones. This closeness to the Fathers allows our Sisters to have the privilege of daily Mass in their chapel.

Our Mother’s journey then continued with visits to the Communities of Colombia.