Sister Angelica's Joy Always Apparent

Sister M. Angelica of the Alton order of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George convent in the chapel at Saint Anthony’s Hospital.

Not all women who choose religious life do so at a very young age.
 Take Sister M. Angelica for example. Now a Sister at the Alton order of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George convent located next to Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Sister Angelica said that as a child she assumed she would get married and have 10 children.
 Though raised in a practicing Catholic family in South St. Louis, she didn’t consider entering the Convent until she was a junior at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.
 “It wasn’t until I was in nursing school and got to know a Sister who was a fellow student that I began to think religious life might be for me,” Sister Angelica said. “I was always very free-spirited, and my parents were actually very surprised when I told them of my decision.”
 But they were also very happy for her and fully supported her calling.
 And for those who have a stereotype of Sisters that are stiff and unsmiling, they haven’t met Sister M. Angelica or the other Sisters at the St. Francis convent.
One of the sayings of the order’s foundress, Mother M. Anselma, was that the Sisters should hold fast to love of poverty and faithfulness in prayer - and joy in work.
“Through my school friend I was exposed to the convent life and I felt their charism of joy and sense of peace,” she said. “I visited the convent one spring break and really enjoyed it.”
 Sister M. Theotima, who recently died at the age of 80, took her for a walk and said, “If you want to enter the convent, we will take you; if not, that’s fine.”
 “That was simple, but freeing,” Sister Angelica said. “I liked that she gave me the option. I prayed in the chapel here and heard God tell me I would spend my life here.”
Sister M. Angelica has a master’s degree in nursing administration and is the vice president of patient care services at Saint Anthony’s Health Center, but she says within the order they are Sisters first, then professionals.
“Our habit is a sign of our consecration to God. It is a constant reminder to me of the life I chose,” Sister M. Angelica said. “I am grateful that our Community has been faithful in wearing the habit. It is a powerful witness.”
All of the Sisters in the order use the name Mary or a form of it in their new name taken when they enter the convent. Many use the initial M. (for Mary) before a second name chosen for a particular saint or patron. And the Sisters in this particular order wear religious habits and veils in different colors – each with its own significance.
 When a novice takes her first vows, she receives a black veil, a crucifix that is recognizable worldwide as being from the Sisters of St. Francis, and a rosary of the Seven Joys of Mary. She is given an apostolate (special mission), which may be in hospital work, care of the elderly, education, day care, religious education, parish work or social services. It may be a position where she is most needed, but particular talents and preferences of each Sister are taken into account, when possible.
 “It’s not what you do, but how you do it,” Sister M. Angelica said with her characteristic smile.
 She managed the skilled nursing floor for four years, worked on the medical surgical floor, in the gastrointestinal lab, and was house supervisor before assuming her current position five years ago.
 “In my position I’m accountable for the nursing practice in hospital,” she said. “I’m an advocate for nurses and work to create an environment to support the nurses who are so key in giving care. Most importantly, the Sisters are here to carry on the Mission of the hospital - to witness Christ’s merciful love by providing quality health services motivated by respect for the people it serves.”

 

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