Diocese welcomes sisters from Mexico with open arms

By M. Yvette Milán Torres LL.M. (M. Yvette Culp, LL.M)
 
The Missionary Daughters of the Rosary of Our Lady of Fatima are a Catholic congregation located in Guanajuato, Mexico. The religious order runs apostolates in various parts of Mexico and has the charism of contemplation and imitation of Jesus in the mysteries of the Rosary, to the example of Mary and according to what she expressed in the apparitions at Fatima. The sisters have consecrated themselves to God for life by making their perpetual vows to God of chastity, poverty and obedience in their congregation in Mexico. And beginning this spring, three members of this congregation — Sisters Ignacia García Ramos, Felipa Santos Tapia and Guadalupe Martínez Castillo —begin work in the Catholic Diocese of Lexington for a five-year apostolate.
 
For all three, this apostolate has been a surprise and a decision of God. When their mother superior informed them that their next apostolate would be in the Diocese of Lexington, they faithfully fulfilled their vow of obedience. Over the next five years, the sisters will be serving the Spanish- speaking community in the diocese and will also study to obtain an online college degree in the United States.
 
This opportunity was achieved thanks to a grant from Catholic Extension — a national fundraising organization that supports mission dioceses — and through the cooperation of Lexington Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., the archbishop of Morelia (who granted permission for the sisters to come), the sisters’ mother superior and all those involved in the process of obtaining the religious visas for the sisters. These included Lexington Catholic Center staff, immigration lawyers from both the U.S. and from Mexico, parishioners and the services of an interpreter and translator.
 
Sister Ignacia of the Sacred Heart has been a member of the congregation for 27 years. In her most recent apostolate, she was the administrator of a school with three academic levels — preschool, primary and secondary, or middle school. She also previously served in the area of formation and as local superior. She has taught catechesis and religion at primary and preschool levels. Her apostolates have been in various cities within Mexico. 
 
Sister Ignacia likes to pray the Rosary. She feels that every time she prays she knows Mary more. She has taken several classes in Marian spirituality and she feels that, thanks to that, “I was finding love for my vocation more and more. “I feel a need to pray the Rosary; I feel indebted to Mary.” Sister Ignacia feels that she is not fulfilling an obligation to follow her religious vocation, but that she likes it and it is something that is born from within. She enjoys the holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, the contemplation and especially solitude with the Blessed Sacrament.
 
Sister María Felipa of Jesus has been a member of the congregation for 12 years. In her most recent apostolate, she worked in a shelter for orphaned and at-risk children. She also collaborated in their integral and Christian education. Previously, she taught catechism in preschool and elementary school and served in popular missions. Her apostolates have also been in various cities within Mexico.
 
“We follow the example of Mary's yes, which speaks of the religious vocation and that we have to obey God,” she says. “It has not been easy, but here I am to fulfill the will of God, since he has called me. I am not alone.” Sister Felipa has encountered the Virgin of Fatima in different parishes and houses in Lexington, which has been for her a sign that Mary accompanies her on this mission and new apostolate. She also prays constantly to listen to God’s will to be able to do his will, be with the different groups in the diocese and be a good bridge between God and the people.
 
Sister Guadalupe of the Divine Shepherd has been a member of the congregation for 10 years. In her most recent apostolate, she served a nursing home, giving its residents a better quality of life and reviving their Christian faith. She previously assisted in popular missions during Lent and gave catechism classes at the preschool, primary and secondary levels. Her apostolates have been in various cities within Mexico.
 
She particularly likes the joyful mysteries of the Rosary. She takes her vocation to heart and remembers that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, who very humbly agreed to be the mother of Jesus. The personal challenge for her is to accept and say yes. She also mentions the second joyful mystery, the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, inspires her. Just as Elizabeth worried about her cousin, she says, “God wants me to come to the aid of people that need it.”
 
The sisters already feel the love of the Hispanic and Latino community in Lexington and see the great need and the desire of the parishioners to be heard and guided to prayer and God's way.
 
M. Yvette Milán Torres LL.M. (M. Yvette Culp, LL.M) is a freelance writer and the Spanish editor for the diocesan newsletter “El Peregrino.” Read the entire April 2020 issue of Cross Roads online here.