On the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, we celebrated the 80th Jubilee of the Monastery of the Infant Jesus.
We began the day visiting with many friends of the monastery in the parlor. Several of them had come from out of town to help us celebrate our special day.
Sr. Mary Rose with Sr. Maria Christi, of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Georgetown, TX. They were college roommates and are now both prioresses of their respective communities!
We were very honored that Bishop Gregory Kelly visited us and celebrated Mass for us on our jubilee.
Bishop Gregory Kelly celebrates Mass.
Many priest friends of the monastery concelebrated Mass with the bishop.
After Mass, we enjoyed a special visit with Bishop Kelly in our community room.
Sr. Mary Rose with Bishop Kelly.
It was a wonderful day that we were honored to share with our bishop and many friends. We are truly grateful and thankful to God and everyone who has made our lives here possible over the last 80 years.
Sr. Mary Magdalene recently celebrated her silver jubilee–25 years a cloistered nun!
Sr. Mary Magdalene with Sr. Mary Margaret, our prioress, before Mass
Our chaplain, Fr. R.B. Williams, celebrated a festive jubilee Mass for Sister. Sr. Carmen Gloria, our sacristan, did the flower arrangement in front of the altar–as usual it was stunning.
Sister renewed her vows in the hands of Sr. Mary Margaret, as is traditional in the Dominican Order.
After Mass, we had a community day to celebrate Sister, with games, gifts, and delicious food–including Sister’s favorite, hamburgers!
Sr. Mary Magdalene enters the community room to begin the festivities.
Sr. Mary Jeremiah was in charge of games. Here she shows us how it’s done! You can also get a glimpse of Sr. Mary Magdalene’s gift table.
Sr. Mary Giuse takes a shot while the community watches.
In the afternoon, we watched Sr. Mary Magdalene open her many gifts, and enjoyed seeing the creativity our sisters possess.
A lovely card.
An afghan crocheted by Sr. Martin Marie
A paint by numbers kit! Sister is very artistic and loves to do cross stitch, crocheting, and other crafts.
This might have been her favorite gift! Sister really wanted a German shepherd for her jubilee–a live one, that is–but she got the next best thing instead. We don’t encourage pets, and when animals venture into the cloister, we try to find them good homes. Just not with us!
We all had a wonderful time celebrating Sr. Mary Magdalene’s jubilee! Although we will have to wait another 25 years for her golden jubilee, we have several sisters who will also celebrate silver jubilees just a few years from now. In the meantime, the prioress’ feast day is coming up in September–stay tuned!
Recently, we were delighted to welcome Sr. Mary Ann from our monastery in Trinidad for a short visit. During her stay with us, we celebrated her 60th jubilee–again! She had a big celebration in Trinidad this past fall, but a 60th jubilee is worth celebrating more than once.
Sr. Mary Ann renewing her vows.
Taking the gifts up to Fr. R.B.Williams, O.P., our chaplain.
Big smile for the camera!
Fr. R.B. celebrating Mass, assisted by Deacon Jesus Reyes. Check out our beautiful tree and creche!
Receiving a blessing from Fr. R.B. at the end of Mass.
Posing in the hallway after Mass.
We have had a long and beautiful relationship with the Dominican monastery in Trinidad, which has only become closer as the two nuns left there have “joined” our monastery. They will remain in their own country, but we will be giving our assistance and help as needed. We thank God for His ever-providential care of us!
Sr. Mary Veronica of the Holy Face, O.P., recently celebrated 75 years of profession as a cloistered Dominican nun!
Sister Mary Veronica, herself
The celebration was so big it stretched over several days. Everything began on the evening of June 18, when we had a gift table for Sister.
Sister has always had a strong devotion to Our Lady of La Salette.
She received all kinds of unique and creative gifts, most handmade by the sisters.
Many of these she was able to give as gifts to her friends and relatives who attended the jubilee Mass the next day. Which was just perfect!
June 19 was the Mass itself, celebrated by Bishop Eduardo Nevares, auxiliary bishop of Phoenix AZ and a good friend of the community for many years. His concelebrants were Fr. Ian Bordenave, O.P., our chaplain, Fr. Denzil Vithanage, pastor of St Patrick’s parish here in Lufkin, and Fr. Ron Foshage, M.S., one of our confessors.
You can see a video Fr. Denzil made of the Jubilee Mass here!
Sr. Mary Veronica and Sr. Mary Margaret bringing up the gifts
Most of the community (with the priests and bishop) following Mass
On Saturday, June 24, we had our day of community celebration in honor of Sister’s jubilee.
Sister Mary Veronica greeted with her jubilee song, “Jubilate Deo”
The novitiate band: Sr. Maria Goretti on accordion, Sr. Mary Pauline on guitar, Sr. Marie Augustine playing the drums, MIchelle playing the cymbal, and Sr. Mary Christine on xylophone and bamboo.
It’s a soup pot! The novitiate also sang and danced to a fun song called, “We’re Swimming In The Same Soup” about getting along harmoniously–very appropriate for our multicultural and multiracial community!
Sr. Maria Cabrini shared some puns and jokes.
We never get tired of hearing Sr. Maria Goretti play the accordion!
After a talking meal and some time to rest, we returned in the afternoon for a treat and games.
Sr. Mary Jeremiah tries her luck!
To finish the day, we watched the movie “Hidden Figures” during evening recreation. This true story of Black women at NASA during the 1960s was inspiring and enjoyable. We finished it on Sunday evening. Then, we showed some old home movies on Monday night!
Whew! It’s been quite a time! But after all…how often does one celebrate her 75th jubilee? Here’s hoping you make it to your 80th–and even beyond!
Dominican Life on Lotus Lane 