Fifteen years ago our daughter, Christy, walked around the grounds of St. Joseph’s Home with Sr. Mary Timothy praying the rosary for vocations. On August 28, 2011 in La Tour, France, those prayers were answered as Sr. Mary Christine of the Cross professed perpetual vows as a Little Sister of the Poor.

Christy was thirteen when she reluctantly joined a friend to volunteer at St. Joseph’s Home. This was part of the fulfillment of required service hours for school. She instantly fell in love with the Little Sisters and their mission to serve the elderly poor.

Even before she began high school, Christy knew that the Lord was calling her to a vocation with the Little Sisters. She chose to study French, because she knew the Little Sisters studied in France during their formation. She longed to enter the Little Sisters immediately after high school, but we thought it would be better for her to continue her education so that she could be more useful to the Little Sisters. Christy obtained her RN in two years, even though many college advisors recommended an easier schedule. She was determined to join the Little Sisters as soon as possible.

Filled with joy, we, along with her grandparents and brother Patrick, traveled to the Little Sister’s motherhouse in France for Sr. Mary Christine’s final vows. It was a beautiful Mass with angelic singing. Most Rev. Jean-Paul Battu, auxiliary bishop of Lyons, France presided over the ceremony which was, of course, in French. To our amazement, the first reading was done by our daughter in English. She looked nervous but read flawlessly about God calling Samuel. Kneeling in front of Mother General Celine, the Sisters pronounced their perpetual vows, which were written on parchment paper and then placed on the altar.

At the end of the vows, Bishop Battu gave the sign of peace to Mother General. Two newly professed Sisters received the sign of peace from her and passed it to their Sisters, as a sign of the fraternal communion uniting them henceforth in the life of the Congregation. After communion, the newly professed Little Sisters embraced Mother General, her Council, and the Sisters responsible for formation, while a hymn of thanksgiving was sung.

After Mass we entered a large hall where Mother General announced the assignments of the newly professed Sisters. We were happy to learn that our daughter was returning to the United States and going to Latham, New York. After multiple pictures and socializing we enjoyed a private dinner with Sr. Mary Christine.

We spent three wonderful days with our daughter. As Association Jeanne Jugan members, we especially enjoyed following in the footsteps of Saint Jeanne Jugan by visiting her birthplace and the first homes of the Little Sisters of the Poor. What made this time especially meaningful was to be at La Tour on the feast day of Saint Jeanne Jugan and participate in a special celebratory Mass.

As parents we all worry about the well-being of our children. The most important thing is for them to live happy, meaningful lives that will lead them to God. Can you imagine a better life for your child than to know the fulfilling, dedicated and joyful life of the Little Sisters of the Poor? We couldn’t be happier for our daughter.

– Brian and Judy Moore, Palatine, Illinois