Sr. Josefa Maria (wearing flower wreath in front row) made her Solemn Profession on Feb. 22. Hers is a "late" vocation. She likes to tell us it took her 69 years. She was married and has children and grandchildren.

On December 12, 2011, the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, we celebrated the solemn professions of our dear Sisters Maria Engracia and Maria Gabriela. They are seen here just after their profession as they were going to embrace their families. Both sisters are named for our Sister-Martyrs who gave their lives during the Spanish Civil War.

A friend of the Community who sponsors a Lenten Symposium brought a stole and pall used by Pope John Paul II. She had them on loan from the Vatican for display at the symposium. We had the display for several weeks so those who came to Mass where able to venerate them. We kept them in the Sisters’ Choir at the feet of our Blessed Mother—a fitting place for our Marian Pope. The stole was worn by Pope John Paul during one of his African pilgrimages and he used the pall during the great jubilee year.