The Convocation of Women Religious was held at Church of the Nativity in Burke Aug. 28. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for the sisters who came from different parts of the diocese and represented several different orders.
“Jesus often spoke about humility and reminded his disciples in today’s Gospel: ‘Whoever humbles himself will be exalted,’ ” he said in his homily. “No wonder St. Augustine, whose memorial we celebrate today, said: ‘If you ask me what are the ways to God, I would say, the first is humility. The second is humility. The third is humility.’ This virtue (the opposite of pride), with the Lord’s help, must be embraced daily in our lives, ministries, and the communities in which we live.”
The event welcomed religious sisters newly assigned to the Arlington diocese. Among those are Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Sisters Marie Benedict, Mary Kolbe and Lucia Treanor; Daughter of St. Paul Sister Sean Marie David Mayer; Dominican Sister Maria Betriz Durao; and Adorer of the Holy Cross Sister Elizabeth Lynn Tran.
“The annual convocation with Bishop Burbidge is always a wonderful opportunity to connect with the other women religious in the diocese, and to dialogue with the bishop about the emerging needs and pressing challenges of this moment in our local church’s history,” said Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Stephanie Gabriel. “Listening to each community’s brief updates is also a beautiful chance to appreciate the unity and variety in religious life.”
“The day was one of renewal and joy,” said Dominican Sister Ann Dominic Mahowald. “It is obvious that Bishop Burbidge loves all the sisters and is grateful to have us serving in the diocese. At one point the bishop smiled as he told us his theme for the day was that he was, ‘Blessed among women.’ But as I reflect upon the day I see the reverse is also true, we are blessed in our consecration and blessed to be women serving in this diocese.”
Sister Stephanie gave an update about the IHM sisters and about the order’s 175th anniversary celebration in July, delayed from last year due to COVID-19, as well as the news that 30-some of the sisters traveled in shifts between April and July to the border to assist migrants in California and Texas. “We also celebrated this summer the reception into the novitiate of one sister, the renewal of vows of five sisters in temporary profession, and my own perpetual profession,” she said.
