Most near and dear to the sisters' hearts is the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each sister bears some version of her name: Miriam, Marie, Mary, Maria and Marilyn. This title reminds the sisters of what it means to be women of compassion, care and courage. The Foundress, Blessed Mary Angela, considered the Blessed Mother to be truly the Foundress of community. The strong devotion of Angela to Mary gave rise to her great love of the poor and her commitment to relieving their sufferings.
Mary is an example of a woman who looks with faith and hope into a future that is challenging and difficult. She lived a simple life of love for her family and neighbors. She saw the hand of God in a requirement of the civil government to travel to Bethlehem during a most precarious time in her life, her pregnancy. The record of this census established the birthright of her child as a descendent of kings. Her delivery of a child in poor circumstances speaks to the heart of every mother who has struggled through childbirth and every person who seeks to bring forth new life.
In her short life on this earth Mary gave us an example of a faithful daughter, a courageous teenager, a believer in Scripture, a young mother, a loving wife, a caring neighbor, a good friend, a gentle widow and a companion at death. She is the valiant woman of Scripture.
This gorgeous life-size bronze statue of Mary stands in the chapel of the Provincial House of the Felician Sisters in Rio Rancho, NM. It was executed by Suzanne Vertel, a gifted Santa Fe, NM artist.
The young mother, Mary looks into the future with trust. She goes to the well of life with her hair blown by the wind and her child, Jesus, wrapped safely in her shawl.
The baby is delighted and looks eagerly at the beauty of the world created by his heavenly Father. He is anxious to get down into the sand and play with this wondrous natural toy. This child came to reveal fully the great love that God has for all creation and to complete the plan for a humanity of right relationships. His Mother Mary leads the way into this great adventure.
Sister Rosemarie Goins
Felician Sisters of the Southwest
Women Owning Radical Dreams
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