Children of Mary -
Sister Maureen's Story
I would like to introduce you to Sr. Maureen. Sister, who is from Endicott, New York, entered on August 22, 2006. She has brought new life and fun with her! She has a degree in recreation therapy, and she is our recreation director, a job she does well! But her greatest asset is her love for Jesus and Mary. Let her tell you more....
GREETINGS FROM SISTER MAUREEN. Well at last I found my true home which I've been searching for, and it was worth the wait. The desire to be a bride of Christ has been in my heart for ten years. Let me tell you how I found Children of Mary, or actually how it found me. At the time I was content living my life as a single Catholic woman, though the desire to be a religious remained. Then last December Mother Margaret Mary (Mother now that she has a daughter) went to New York to a parish to give a talk. Jan, a friend who attended the talk, said she thought of me and picked up a prayer card which she later gave me. The prayer card spoke to my heart immediately. During this time I became aware that my father was dying of painful bone cancer. He died January 26, 2006. The time we had together with him as a family was a grace-filled time, after which the Lord opened the door for me.
In February, I made a call to Mother Margaret Mary, and found out that my spiritual director had been to Children of Mary for private retreats. Later I spoke with my spiritual director about visiting CM. He did not hesitate. In fact, he drove me out himself on April 22nd. I planned on staying two weeks but stayed six weeks, during which time the Lord slowly drew me in and poured out tremendous graces. I would describe Children of Mary as simple, gentle, faithful, and loving Our Lord and His Church. I left with application in hand. I spoke with my spiritual director about my visit. Once again he did not hesitate. "If the Lord is calling you, why wait?" On August 22nd, 2006 I entered Children of Mary as a candidate and on September 8th, as a gift to Our Lady, I became a postulant.
What is religious life like here at Children of Mary? We offer our whole day: prayers, works, joys and sufferings, for the grace for all mankind to come to love and adore our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and be faithful members of His Holy Church. We begin the day at 5:30 a.m. when we rise promptly and cheerfully (a big challenge for Sr. Maureen!) praying, "All for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, all for the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary in union with St. Joseph." We have breakfast in silence and solitude. By 6:45 we have the great privilege of having Solemn Exposition and silently adoring Our Lord for one hour, meditating on the Gospel of the day. Then, with Jesus still enthroned on the altar, we chant Morning Prayer, repose Him to the tabernacle, then go to Mass in town, praying the rosary on the way. (Some days we are blessed to have Holy Mass in our chapel.) On the drive back from Mass, we pray Office of Readings.
We work until dinner at 11:15, when we eat our main meal of the day in silence as we listen to an instructional tape or read a spiritual book. Meals are taken slowly and prayerfully. After we eat, we begin recreation by cleaning up the dishes, feeding the cat, and fetching eggs from the coop. Then, on nice days we go out to play BB, Frisbee, or some other game. Other days we play an indoor game. At 1:00 we go to chapel for Daytime Prayer, after which we have Holy Leisure, a time of being alone with God, taking a walk, resting, sitting by the pond. From 2:00-3:00 we have class. Topics include Catechism of the Catholic Church, the spiritual life, i.e. consecration to Jesus through Mary. At 3:00 we pray the Divine Mercy chaplet, and then return to work (yard work, sewing, cleaning, etc.). The evenings are spent in silence and prayer and adoration. During this time we eat in silence and solitude, do our spiritual reading, have an hour of 'Private Audience' with Jesus (Who is enthroned on the altar throughout the evening), and at 8:00 we chant Night Prayer and retire to our cells. Lights out by 10:00.
We would like to invite anyone interested in religious life to come spend time with us in prayer and discernment. Children of Mary is a new community forming to pray that all will come to realize that God is with us in the Blessed Sacrament and be faithful members of His Holy Church. Our Lord so wants to be loved! And the more we love, grace will pour forth upon the earth.
When I first became aware of Children of Mary, I knew in my heart this was where I belonged. It is simple, but love is really everything. The more we are united with Him in prayer, evil in the world diminishes. Come and see what Children of Mary is all about. It is very exciting to be a founding member. It is truly authentic. I look forward to meeting you, and I hope you will visit to learn more, letting Our Lord speak to your heart.
A vocation is truly a precious gift from God. What a gift Our Lord has given me to be a founding member of this beautiful charism. May God be always loved and praised in the Most Blessed Sacrament! I'll keep you in prayer. Sister Maureen
On August 22, 2007, Sister Maureen Ann Toner became the first novice of the Children of Mary.
Click HERE to read more about Sister Maureen's Investiture Ceremony.
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