One September 8th, the Community had great reason to rejoice for another sister was added to our little family.  Sr. Meghan Baruzzini was accepted and admitted to the Novitiate as a Novice.  This means that she was "transformed" from a Postulant into a Novice.. including the white veil and the Visitation Habit.


This step in formation is one which comes with great joy, but can also be followed by many mornings of re-learning how to get dressed.  The religious habit is blessed and the new novice becomes a living sacramental for the world, a visible sign of God's love for His Bride, the Church.

After she received the Habit, a few of the "white veils" went to visit our dear Sr. Gemma Maria (who resides with the Felician Sisters in Enfield, CT due to her current medical needs).  Sr. Gemma Maria had polio as a child and has always been handicapped in her mobility.  Our new novice struggles with a similar daily cross which keeps her in a wheelchair for the majority of her day.

Our Order was founded in a very special way for women such as Sr. Gemma Maria and Sr. Meghan, whose deep prayer and desire to sacrifice for souls draw them to be a spouse of Christ.  Most Religious Communities cannot accept women with some form of handicap due to their apostolate or the severity of their rule.  When founding our "Little Institute" (as St. Francis de Sales loved to call us), he desired to provide a haven for souls whose physical abilities may impede them from other religious orders, but whose souls are bursting with desire to give themselves more completely to God.  

Sr. Meghan's habit was specially designed by our Superior, Mother Judith Clare, to both conform to the directives for a proper Visitation Habit, and meet her needs as an individual.  

We rejoice to have another sister among us whose deep love of God inspires us with joy.  And we rejoice in the gift of our dear Sr. Gemma Maria whose love and joy has always been contagious in community life.  Thank you St Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal for opening your hearts to these women.

God be Praised!