On the way to visit my family in early September, Laurence and I stopped in Hartford, Connecticut to visit my aunt, Sister Mary Jeanette. We took her to lunch and had a great time listening to her life story. Although I have talked with her many times, I heard her story of courage and faith in a new way.
When Sister Jeannette was a teenager, she heard the inner call to enter the convent. When she told her parents her news, her father told her he did not have the money for her dowry needed to enter the convent. She left school and worked as a nanny and housekeeper until she earned enough for her dowry. When the time came for her to leave, my grandfather didn’t own a car, so he hired a driver to take them to Fall River, Massachusetts where she entered the order of Felician Franciscan Sisters.
It was two years before her family had the chance to see her again. Life in the convent was hard work. With no teaching experience, she was given a class of second graders to teach. Catholic schools were bursting at the seams in those days and it was not a surprise to find classroom sizes of 40 to 50 students. She learned quickly and excelled at teaching. She was sent to New York City and throughout the New England states to teach during her years of service. Many of her students stay in contact with her and share stories of their families and their lives.
Next year Sister Jeanette will celebrate her 70th year in the Felician order. Her story is one of surrender and love. She realized her calling early on and never questioned her decision or her devotion. She followed her heart to serve God and serve humanity. There were times that were challenging but she has never lost faith.
Her life is a reminder to walk in faith at whatever we are called to do. Every job is an opportunity to serve humanity. Every task is an opportunity to express love. I am grateful for the blessing to learn from my aunt and to be inspired by her life of faith.