The July 29th meeting of the Young Women of Grace pioneers featured a special guest who captivated the girls with her joy, happiness, and firm conviction – and the 11 puppies her convent is presently raising!
Young Women of Grace welcomed Sister Angela of Perkasie to our meeting. This vivacious 22 year-old young Capuchin Sister of Nazareth resides at the motherhouse of her order which is located in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, a rural farming community located about 25 miles north of Wilkes Barre in the Diocese of Scranton.
Sister Angela said she began to feel the call to religious life in high school but it wasn’t until she met members of the order while attending Ave Maria University that the Lord’s tug on her heart became much more pronounced. She decided to leave college after her first year of school and enter the novitiate.
Judging by the glow on her face and the sparkle in her eyes, religious life was a perfect fit for this deacon’s daughter.
“We’re contemplative Franciscans,” she told the girls. “We live poorly. No computers, cell phones, televisions. We rely on providence and we always have what we need. We never run out of food.”
The Motherhouse at Tunkhannock
As counter-cultural as it all seemed, the girls were amazed by some of the stories she told about God’s providence. For example, a few years ago the sisters realized they needed manure for their gardens. They had no resources to buy the manure, so they went to a neighbor to ask for a donation of the fertilizer and offered to pray for him in return. As it turned out, he had plenty of manure and now donates it every year.
God’s benevolence also extended to the extra-large litter of 11 puppies born to the convent’s pet German Shepherd.
“Eleven puppies are a lot of work!” she laughed. “But we’re Franciscans!” which is why they have dogs and/or cats at all of their convents.
The girls were especially fascinated when they heard that the order boasts several young women in their 30’s, and as young as 21, all of whom wear a full habit.
“This was very important for me when I was discerning my vocation,” Sister said. “I wasn’t attracted to orders if there was no habit. I wanted a habit to show people that I’m married to Christ. The Church says we need outward signs to witness to the world.”
Sr. Angela (fourth from right, back row)
She’s proud to be the Spouse of Christ!
And she obviously loves the simplicity of the contemplative religious life, which revolves around prayer and work. “The life of the Spirit is very freeing,” she said, and described their lifestyle as one of “joyful asceticism.”
In addition, they also do evangelization work in parish missions, retreats and youth groups, catechesis and home visits.
“In their life and ministry, the Sisters strive to live the spirituality of Nazareth so dear to the heart of St. Francis,” the Sisters’ Constitution reads. “It was in Nazareth that Jesus lived His hidden life, where Our Lady received her call and it was the place that Jesus was identified with at the cross.”
It’s a beautiful life, she said, and lamented the fact that guidance counselors don’t bring it up more often to young people who are searching for their path in life. Counselors seem to be mostly concerned with other career paths, leaving both motherhood and the religious life unmentioned.
After she left, the pioneers could not stop talking about Sister Angela’s joy and how palpable it was to all of them.
“She’s just so happy!” one girl mentioned.
“You can really tell she loves what she’s doing,” another chimed.
Religious life suddenly seemed a lot more plausible.
Regardless of what paths the pioneers are discerning for themselves, everyone walked away from the meeting feeling a little lighter inside, seeing in Sister Angela’s joy a reassurance that whatever God’s plan might be, it’s the best choice they’ll ever make!
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