Responding with courage and personal sacrifice to the call of Christ in the Church, our foundresses lived out their desire to become Women of Prayer, Community and Service. SSMO Constitutions, Article 1
Dear Friends,
The first two days of November are so special. We start the month by honoring all of the saints and praying for our loved ones who have gone before us.
Let us be attuned to the example of those who have shown us the way and continue to carry on their legacy.
Blessings,
Sr. Charlene
Opportunities to learn and discern
Sunday with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
Mark your calendar: Nov. 19 and Dec. 10
SSMO Motherhouse – 4440 SW 148th Ave. Beaverton, OR 97018
Contact Sr. Charlene at 503-805-6201 to register and get more information.
Come and meet Sisters of various ages and ministries while learning about:
- Living the vowed life today
- How Communities are similar/different
- How to get more information and ask questions
Schedule:
- 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
- 9 a.m. Mass
- 9:45 a.m. Refreshments followed by input and sharing
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch with the Sisters
Discernment Questions
Visit ssmo.org/vocations to see questions from previous newsletters.
Christ is Alive:
- What practices in your daily schedule increase your awareness of God in your life? Mass attendance, spiritual reading, Scripture reflection, meditation?
- What practices in your schedule increase your awareness of the needs of others? Volunteer service, listening, reaching out, responding to an unplanned call for help?
Did you know?
According to the 2020 Survey of new members to Religious Communities (from 2003-2018):
- 33% of the newer entrants indicated that at least one of their parents was born outside of the United States.
- 30% of newer entrants speak two languages fluently and 12% speak three or more languages fluently.
- 67% of women religious institutes include faith sharing as part of their regular prayer life.
How do Communities decide what to wear?
During the Second Vatican Council, religious communities were asked to renew and update their documents and attire. The result gave religious orders the choice to determine the external signs that symbolize their identity and communicate their charism.
Many times, these signs include a profession ring, crucifix, habit, veil, or other Community symbol. Some communities choose specific colors of clothing. Women and men religious dress simply and modestly, choosing to wear professional or religious attire that is customary to their mission and ministry. Community decisions of this magnitude are vetted by thoughtful discussion,
consultations, and revisions.
Women Religious Saints – November
St. Francis Xavier Cabrini
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first citizen of the United States to be canonized.
Although she was denied entrance to a religious community in Italy due to her fragile health, she proved to be a woman of strength and courage.
In 35 years, Frances Xavier
Cabrini founded 67 institutions dedicated to caring for the poor, the abandoned, the
uneducated and the sick in the United States.
Her feastday is celebrated on Nov. 13.
St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne
Similar to St. Frances Cabrini, St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne was a missionary to the United States.
Her trials and challenges began in France when her Religious Community
(Visitation of Mary) was disbanded during the French Revolution. After that she took care of the poor and sick, opened a school for homeless children, and risked her life helping priests in the underground.
At age 49, St. Rose Phillippine heard the call to be a missionary to the United States. She endured all the hardships of frontier life, retiring at 72, due to poor health. At that time she got her lifelong wish – to be at a mission to the Potawatomi in Sugar Creek, Kansas. They named her “Woman-Who-Prays-Always.”
Her feastday is celebrated on
Nov. 18.
