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Check back from time to time as our sisters add their personal
stories.
by Sister Mary Cornelia, SSpSAP
The first stirrings of my vocation began as a young girl of twelve.
My family is from Wiesbach-Saar, in the diocese of Trier, Germany.
We had a happy family life, nine children of loving parents. My
older brothers and sisters had already married and left home when
my mother died, leaving me, at the age of 16, to take charge of
the household. My name of Martha was apropos...as I took care of
my father and a younger sister. Though I often thought of a vocation,
it was many years before I could heed the Lord's summons due to
the obligation I felt to my father and family. At one point, one
of my older sisters generously took over my duties and care of our
father so that I could pursue my desire to be a cloistered contemplative.
In May 1951 I was received into the postulate at our convent in
Bad Driburg, Germany. One year later, after entrance into the novitiate
and having received the new name of Sister Mary Cornelia, I went
to our motherhouse in Steyl, Holland and made first profession.
Soon after first profession, I returned to Driburg and four years
later was  back
in Steyl. In 1962 I sailed for my assignment in the U.S.A. and my
first mission at the Convent of Divine Love where I stayed for 10
years before being appointed for our Mount Grace Convent in St.
Louis, Missouri. After 11 years I was again assigned to the Convent
of Divine Love where I have stayed until the present.
Since my first profession 48 years ago, my family experience has
helped me to serve our communities in many capacities in the kitchen,
sewing, gardening, in the laundry and in the sacristy. Lately as
age and some handicap from two hip replacements have kept me from
more active work, I help in the treasurers office a little time
each day and spend my time crocheting and knitting, making rosaries
and Agnus Dei's. My day is spent in quiet prayer now, keeping vigil
and listening at His feet! It has been a joyful life in the cloister
and though now my name is Mary Cornelia, I who was baptized Martha
can hear the Lord saying: "Martha has chosen the better part,
and it shall not be taken away from her." May he be praised
for his goodness to me these 48 years!
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Sr. Mary Emmanuelle
Sr. Mary Cornelia
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