CURRENTS CROSS - 50 YEARS A SAINT - Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
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CROSS
CURRENTS
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur • Ohio Province
WINTER 2019
VOLUME 15
ISSUE 1
50 YEARS A SAINT
The Canonization of Marie Rose Julie Billiart • June 22, 1969
CROSS CURRENTS SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS
Winter 2019 | Vol. 15/Issue 1
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
change lives by making known
God’s goodness with you.
THE DETERMINATION WERE IT ACT ONE:
Throughout the world, we are
committed to education. We
OF SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME NOT FOR A This is a story not before told in one place.
Its parts have for decades resided
take our stand with those
living in poverty, especially
AROUND THE WORLD FARMER in obscurity: in three paragraphs of
women and children in the the 1952 internal communications
most abandoned places. Cross
Currents is published two times This is my first letter to appear in Cross Currents, which of a religious congregation; in sworn
a year for friends of the Sisters has long chronicled the work of the Sisters of Notre affidavits of people long since deceased;
of Notre Dame de Namur by
Dame de Namur. In its pages are and have been the in the archived tomes of the Holy See.
the Ohio Province Development
Office. accomplishments of the Sisters, but also the challenges,
Some accounts match, some differ.
We invite reader responses on challenges we have faced — and continue to face — together.
the content of this publication
Some are in Portuguese, some English.
In any given issue, you’re likely to read about Sisters in
or on the work of the Sisters Some are reported in the weeks following,
of Notre Dame de Namur. inner-city neighborhoods, in the deserts of the American
some from a vantage point of thirty years
Comments may be submitted Southwest, or in jungle locales thousands of miles away.
to Kevin Manley, Director of hence.
Development, at kmanley@
Cross Currents has helped me see the mission of Notre But at its root the story is this...
ohsnd.org.
Dame from all its many angles. It’s helped me learn new
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
things, and helped me experience our faith as seen through
Ohio Province
701 E. Columbia Avenue the eyes — and through the work — of the Sisters. Now,
Cincinnati, OH 45215 with the opportunity presented by this column, I have a
513-761-7636 / 513-761-6159 (fax)
www.sndohio.org chance to be a part of the process. And I’m grateful.
Leadership Team: In the current issue you’ll read about the canonization
Sister Carol Lichtenberg,
of Julie Billiart fifty years ago this summer, and how
SNDdeN, Provincial
Sister Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN that canonization may never have happened were it not
Sister Kristin Matthes, SNDdeN for the steady determination of Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Linda Soucek, SNDdeN
around the world — the same kind of determination that
Publisher: built schools where before there had been none, that
Kevin Manley
kmanley@ohsnd.org today sinks wells to the far ends of the earth, and that
513-679-8117 no matter the circumstance, finds God in all things.
Writer:
It’s the same kind of determination, too, that leads young
Joe Foley
women to devote their lives to something larger than
Editor & Production Manager:
themselves (see page 8), and who, by doing so, are
Angela Weisgerber
continuing the tradition begun so long
Photography:
ago by Saint Julie Billiart.
Cover and pages 6/7 (center):
Permission granted by Servizio
Fotografico – Vatican Media
Sincerely,
Page 5: Courtesy of the Coesfeld
Sisters of Notre Dame
Pages 6 (top, left, right) and 7
(right): Permission granted by
Rodolfo Felici
Page 8 and back cover (in
calendar): Mary Dee Donovan KEVIN MANLEY
Director of Development
Page 11: Provided by family
All others by staff
3
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS
O n a mild night in the village at it for a long time. But it was whereupon the family, with no Sister Ludvine explains what has
of Mata Virgem, twenty-seven impossible.” other recourse, begins to pray. transpired. She speaks of Blessed
miles from the Brazilian town They begin a fervent novena and Julie and of their petitions.
“He is condemned,” said the
of Campos Novos, a father — place upon Monsieur Rhodius She attaches a picture of the
doctor. “There is no hope.”
a farmer and most likely a a relic of the then Blessed Julie foundress to the wall and places
beekeeper — is struggling to The Sisters move Otacilio, still Billiart, presumably supplied a relic over Otacilio’s incision. She
help his son into a truck. The unconscious, to another room. by Sister Marie-Ludovica, his invites Otacilio to join them in a
son — Otacilio Ribeiro da Silva, Sister Ludvine asks what further daughter and a Sister of the novena, which he does. Sister, there
29 years old, married, also a medical measures should be Namur branch of the Sisters
farmer — is shaking with pain. of Notre Dame. After two days,
Still, even after three days of is something
undertaken. “Sister, Sister,” the
further life, the doctor says so very unusual.
The date: September 29, 1950. doctor says, “…he will not live Monsieur Rhodius wakes up. On
again there is no hope.
another hour.” the fourth day, he is able to take I cannot explain
The two drive to the town’s
nourishment. Within a month he But then something happens.
hospital. Sister Maria Bardona, Sister Ludvine, Sister Bardona,
it but it is quite
returns to work. No sign of his
a Coesfeld Sister of Notre Dame, and a third Sister, Sister Maria On either the third evening or different.”
malady ever returns.
meets them at the door. Of the Adelaide, begin to pray. Otacilio’s the fourth (Sister Ludvine, years
son, she said later, “He looked father sits by the bedside. The Perhaps the Coesfeld Sisters of later, could not remember), — OTACILIO
as if he would be gone if he night moves on. Notre Dame – a generation and Otacilio calls out, “Sister, there
closed his eyes.” an ocean removed, speaking is something so very unusual. I
a different language, praying cannot explain it but it is quite
The hospital’s superior arrives,
through the night in Campos different.”
Sister Mary Ludvine. Upon
Novos – recall this miracle. But
seeing the son she calls both “Otacilio,” says Sister Ludvine,
if they do, no mention is later
a priest and a doctor. The making the sign of the cross on
made of it in the congregation’s and a half kilograms of wax for Mother Verona, knowing very
doctor’s name is Janh Martins his forehead, “the dear God is
December 1952 Chimes candles. Otacilio promises, “If well of the 1919 miracle of
Ribeiro (no relation to the good. He will be with you this
newsletter, when Julie Billiart is the good Lord would give me Monsieur Homer Rhodius, much
family). Dr. Ribeiro orders night. Pray to your saint.” Then
still Blessed Julie, and when Sister one more daughter, she shall be involved in the decades-long
immediate surgery. Otacilio’s Call his father she leaves, leaving him alone.
Ludvine first writes, in a brief called Julie.” effort to canonize Blessed Julie,
body is so contorted with pain
for it is quite certain three paragraphs, of the incident The night passes. At five o’clock well connected with the Church
he is unable to lie down. An Two months later he returns,
of Otacilio Ribeiro preceded by Sister Ludvine returns. She finds hierarchy, reads casually of the
anesthetic is administered. As he will not see him now on horseback. He swings
the comings and goings of the day, Otacilio sitting up in bed, smiling. work of a Sister Bardona and a
it takes hold, Dr. Ribeiro says to out of the saddle, calling, “Sister,
again alive.” such as the number of calves and “I could get up,” he says. Sister Sister Ludvine in the faraway town
the Sisters, “Call his father for it do you remember me yet?”
chickens prepared for the Feast of Ludvine, recovering from her of Campos Novos. She reads of
is quite certain he will not see
— DR. RIBEIRO St. John the Baptist. the fatted calves slaughtered for
him again alive.” shock, won’t allow it. They wait With that, and with the
for the doctor. At nine the doctor 1952 mention in the Chimes the Feast of St. John the Baptist,
More likely is that the wee hours
The operation begins. A terrible comes in. newsletter, the story might end. and of the number of chickens
of September 30, 1950 are a crush
tumor comes into view. In the Stop now. Go back an even But it doesn’t. prepared.
of panic, disbelief and sadness “What have you done to him?”
words of Sister Mary Ludvine: further thirty-one years and
displacing all else, the father now he says. He examines the And Mother Verona reads
“It was hard as a stone and of into another hemisphere. It’s ACT TWO:
joined by the mother at their son’s those three paragraphs of the
a dark red color, and filled the November 20, 1919 in Namur, incision and abdomen. He says
bedside, the Sisters praying, the In 1952, Mother Mary Verona,
Belgium. Monsieur Homer repeatedly, as much to himself illness and recovery two years
entire abdomen…The doctor an assistant mother general of
29-year-old Otacilio supine and earlier of the farmer from
tried to loosen the tumor to Rhodius, long ill with renal as to others, “What has become the Coesfeld Sisters of Notre
unresponsive. Finally, almost the village of Mata Virgem.
remove it, but from no side disease, lies on his deathbed. He of the growth? Where did the Dame, residing in Rome and
unexpectedly, first dawn shows
could it be moved. Almost receives the Last Sacraments growth go?” in a free moment, thumbs At which point she stops.
through the window. Death has
without knowing what to do, and falls into a deep coma. through the December issue of
not appeared. The sun rises. A week later Otacilio is released.
he tried over and over to make His attending physicians give her congregation’s newsletter.
Otacilio comes to. His parents give the Sisters one
the tumor yield, and worked him less than a day, and exit,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
4 5
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS
RIGHT: LEFT:
Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Pope Paul VI greets
Mère Josepha de St. François Sisters of Notre Dame.
BELOW:
Coesfeld Sister of Notre Dame
Mother Mary Verona
RIGHT:
Pope Paul VI
and Otacilio Ribeiro
RIGHT:
St. Julie Billiart’s
relatives attend
her canonization
at the Vatican.
In the three branches of Notre reaches of the congregation written The word goes out to Sister the pope says to her: “Our good back to 1919, is to be examined once Josepha. There, too, are relatives
Dame tracing back to Julie Billiart— two years after the fact. Ludvine in Brazil, who complies. religious are all begging for the more. There is the possibility of of Julie Billiart, bearing a striking
the Sisters from Namur in Belgium, Participants are interviewed, canonization of their foundresses. reversal. Sisters of Notre Dame on resemblance. Media from the four
Mother Verona immediately takes
the Coesfeld Sisters from Germany proceedings held, affidavits sworn. Let them sanctify themselves. That five continents await the outcome. corners of the world wield cameras
the newsletter to the Secretary of
and the Dutch Sisters in Amersfoort Documents flow back and forth will give greater glory to God.” and notepads. There are prelates in
the Sacred Congregation of Rites, ACT THREE:
— perhaps only a handful know the between Rome and the Diocese clerical garb, and men in coats and
whom she knows. The Congregation Mère Josepha, in her own words,
starts and stops, ups and downs, of Lages, in which the purported More years pass. The pope is now ties. Among the latter is the doctor
of Rites is the then Secretariat is “struck with consternation.”
and the seemingly miraculous second miracle is said to have Paul VI. It’s June 22, 1969, sunny Janh Martins Ribeiro.
within the Church tasked with the Nevertheless, and swallowing her
intercessions of Julie over the occurred. The wheel of canonization, and hot. In twenty-nine days men
causes of saints. disappointment, she drafts a note Pope Paul VI enters. He formally
years, intercessions that for all stalled after the 1919 miracle, will land on the moon. (When the
to the pope thanking him for his declares Marie Rose Julie Billiart,
their merit could not be proved to “They have written such a little bit begins again to creak forward. canonization process began, men
time. A few days later a return of Cuvilly, France as the Church’s
the standards of the Vatican and about it,” she says to the Secretary, had yet to fly.)
It takes another four years, into note arrives, coming through the newest saint — Saint Julie. He
so count as the second miracle and which she recounts later.
1958, for the miracle in Brazil to be pope’s secretary. “…the Sacred Mother Mary Verona is in St. offers Communion. Among those
required for canonization. “Without date, without names,
authenticated. In 1959, Mère Josepha Congregation of Rites will be Peter’s Basilica. With her are eight receiving it is a dark, mustachioed
without anything.”
But in this handful of Sisters is de St. François, Mother General of acquainted with your desire,” it says. hundred Coesfeld Sisters of Notre farmer from the village of Mata
Mother Verona. And before her is To which the Secretary, after reading the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Dame, Sisters of Notre Dame of Virgem, twenty-seven miles from
The wheel creaks slightly, then, in
a newsletter she has found time the three paragraphs, says, “Ask requests an audience with Pope Amersfoort, and Sisters of Notre Campos Novos. Beside him is a girl
1967, is quieted again. The miracle
to read. And in this one particular the Sisters in Brazil to write a more John XXIII, hoping to move forward Dame de Namur, including Mère of fourteen. Her name, too, is Julie.
of Monsieur Homer Rhodius, dating
newsletter is news from the far complete report, and then we will see.” with the process of canonization. But
6 7
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS
NEWSBRIEFS WE WILL ALWAYS SISTER
PATRICIA KINSER
REMEMBER Formerly Helen Patricia
August 12, 1925 – December 9, 2018
As a teacher
SISTER THERESE McMENAMIN and principal,
Formerly Therese Aloysius
Sister Patricia
December 28, 1923 – February 3, 2019
provided a
Sister Therese served as teacher and principal quality Catholic
nearly three decades, giving her students education to
the kind of solid formation in faith and love students who
that her parents had given her. As a licensed most needed
speech therapist, she saw her work as easing it. Like St. Julie,
an impediment that could otherwise block she taught
a gifted child’s realization of his/her full her students what they needed to
potential. She came to regard her students as know for life and changed lives one
the “prime movers” in her life — “the power person at a time. Her many volunteer
ABOVE
Sister Sarah greets Sister Mary Margaret
behind who I have become!” experiences helped her carry out her
Fischer during the Sign of Peace. lifelong preference to care for the
LEFT materially poor. Sister Patricia loved
Sarah recites her vows in the presence of the nature — it was where she found
Provincial Leader, Sister Carol Lichtenberg. SISTER CLAIRE FOLEY God’s presence most real.
Formerly Mary Harold • August 14, 1938 – February 3, 2019
A NEW SISTER! Sister Claire loved teaching, showing her students
Sister Sarah Cieplinski made
interest, warmth and support. As principal and
assistant superintendent, she worked to improve
SISTER
final vows as a Sister of
ways the curriculum met the needs of students. PHYLLIS DUGAN
Notre Dame de Namur on Sister Claire responded to the call to serve in Formerly Mary Regina
December 29, 2018 at Mount leadership for her community with competence, November 3, 1927 – October 22, 2018
Notre Dame in Cincinnati. contagious energy and commitment to mission. Her students
It’s a journey she’s been She served on the province leadership team saw Sister
on since high school, she three times including one term as Provincial. She Phyllis as
says. Her love of God, her served as wisdom figure, mentor and advisor for an excellent
love of St. Julie and her Sisters, family and friends. teacher and as
love of teaching have come someone who
together in a ministry in would listen
South Central Los Angeles, and respond
where she teaches children SISTER JANET HUGHES compassion-
with disabilities. “God kept A NEW NOVITIATE! ABOVE
Members of the novitiate
Formerly Ann Raymond • January 16, 1931 – January 17, 2019 ately. In her
parish work, she used her gifts for
nudging me,” she says, “and The United States provinces of the Sisters of Notre community enjoy an Sister Janet lived St. Julie’s example of a
evening meal together.
listening and compassion to help
St. Julie inspired me.” contemplative life in an active ministry.
Dame de Namur, including the Ohio Province, have They include (clockwise plan the future life of the local
Every location where Janet ministered
opened a novitiate in Cincinnati. The novitiate, from lower left) Sisters church. In all her ministries, she
Stephanie Thompson, benefited from her attention to detail, her
opened since August in the former rectory of Our nurtured a spirit of cooperation,
Gillian Wallace, Thérèse organizational skills, her quiet presence and
Lady of Lourdes Parish, houses seven Sisters and one DelGenio, Dolores creativity and community.
her genuine interest in and care for those
canonical novice, Gillian Wallace, who is originally Moloney, Judith Throughout her life, Sister Phyllis
Flahaven, Bernadette around her. She felt every person she met
from California. Other Sisters in residence have come found a “real joy in serving people.”
LeTourneau and Marietta enriched her life and prayed that somehow
from as far away as California, Arizona, Vermont and Fritz (not pictured, Sister her presence enriched them in return.
Karen Pozniak).
Massachusetts. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
8 9
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER EDUCATION IS THE
GREATEST WORK ON EARTH.
SISTER JANE ROBERTS SISTER
Formerly formerly Robert Marie • June 11, 1927 – September 29, 2018 MAUREEN TURLISH St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, once said
Sister Jane was known for her calm, quiet, Formerly Maureen Paul “Education is the greatest work on earth.” This is also the perfect motto for the late Dr.
determined presence. As a formal educator, July 5, 1939 - July 18, 2018
June Verbillion who taught for more than three decades—a fitting career for this 1953
Sister Jane’s students taught her about the gifts Sister alumna of Notre Dame High School in Chicago.
and challenges of diversity and community. Maureen was
As a director of religious education, she loved known as a June and her sister were raised in a strong
watching a generation of parishioners grow into tenacious, Catholic family. Her early love of reading led to
faith-filled young adults. In her final work as a outspoken
four successful years at Notre Dame High
paralegal, Sister Jane most enjoyed the pro bono activist.
work for individuals and families in great need,
School, a school known for its academically
She taught
concretely living the words of St. Julie. for three rigorous curriculum and diverse student body.
decades, Thanks to the extensive academic opportunities
and art was
provided by the Sisters, June went on to earn
her specialty. She made children’s
her undergraduate degree at DePaul and her
SISTER ANNE ELIZABETH BERINGER access to art instruction one of her
causes, arguing for its essential doctorate at Loyola University Chicago, becoming the first Notre Dame High School
September 11, 1926 – September 5, 2018
role in the quality education of alumna to receive an EdD. June then joined the faculty of Northeastern Illinois
Sister Anne saw her life as “working with God” children. Called as a Sister to University, serving as a professor of English Literature for 31 years.
— a lifetime characterized by openness to all care for the sexually exploited,
that was new and different. She worked with trafficked, marginalized and June touched the lives of so many students over the years, and she never forgot those
non-traditional students and loved teaching, abused, Sister Maureen demanded who taught her and set her on her life’s mission of teaching. To show her appreciation,
especially at the high school and college levels. protection of children from June decided to make a gift to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur through her IRA
She was a talented artist who brought beauty clergy abuse and compensation and retirement plans.
to our world. She was a citizen of the world and for adults bearing its scars.
carried her family and Sisters in her heart all Naming the Sisters as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan is a simple way
her life long. to leave a legacy. IRAs or other retirement plans can be designated as gifts to one or
more charitable organizations. This can make especially good tax planning sense since
WE ARE these funds are more heavily taxed if left to heirs.
MINDFUL
We are grateful to Dr. June Verbillion for her years as a professor, and we are
SISTER MARIAN HOLAHAN THAT WE STAND
honored she remembered her Catholic education with a gift to the Sisters through
Formerly Agnes Joseph • June 14, 1928 – August 27, 2018 ON THE
her retirement plans. If you would like to learn more about IRA and
SHOULDERS
Sister Marian’s infectious laugh, gift of song and retirement plan giving, please contact me today at
OF THOSE WHO
wide-ranging ministries are among her most
HAVE COME
khadden@ohsnd.org or 513-679-8106.
memorable gifts. “Adaptable” was her middle
name — she taught elementary, middle and BEFORE US.
secondary students before transitioning to assist
TO READ A MORE
the elderly. Then she was back to teaching and
DETAILED OBITUARY
administration at the high school level. Sister
OR TO LEAVE A COMMENT,
Marian had tenacious faith in God’s goodness
throughout her full and varied life. VISIT 'ABOUT US' ONLINE
AT: SNDOHIO.ORG
KAREN HADDEN
Associate Director of Development
10 11
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AS A SAINT
Marie Rose Julie
Billiart was born
and baptized on
July 12, 1751 in
Cuvilly, France.
Her life was
marked by a
great desire to
make known
the goodness of
God. She began
teaching about
God's goodness
at an early age,
despite a paralysis that crippled her at the age of 22.
Julie was miraculously cured in 1795 on the Feast
of the Sacred Heart and continued teaching until
her death. Although she was persecuted during
the French Revolution, she kept an unshakeable FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA + THE WEB
confidence in the good God. On February 2, 1804,
she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of www.facebook.com/SistersOfNotreDamedeNamurOhio
Notre Dame de Namur, dedicated to the education
of young girls and especially the poor, and to making
known God's goodness. Julie died just 12 years later. www.youtube.com/channel/UCIR4latCtInQmn0JCMSfr7Q
She was canonized on June 22, 1969.
ABOVE
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur twitter.com/SNDdeNOhio
commissioned this tapestry to celebrate the
canonization of its co-foundress, St. Julie Billiart.
www.sndohio.org
CROSS
CURRENTS
CALENDAR
Wednesday, April 3 Wednesday, April 10 Saturday, May 11
Taizé Prayer Around the Cross, Explore Your Call Dinner & Conversation Live the Good Volunteers
a Lenten Service Lebanon, OH • St. Francis de Sales Church Cincinnati, OH • Holy Name Parish
Cincinnati, OH • Mt. Notre Dame Chapel
Thursday, May 9 Sunday, July 7 — Wednesday, July 17
Sunday, April 7 Partners in Action Luncheon “In the Footsteps of St. Julie” Pilgrimage
Our Lady of the Window Society Mass Cincinnati, OH • Cintas Center Namur, BE • Cuvilly, FR • Compiegne, FR •
& Luncheon Xavier University Amiens, FR
Chicago, IL • European Crystal Banquet
& Conference Center VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO REGISTER.
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