Sisters of St. Francis
What little good we can do ... to help and comfort the suffering, we wish to do it quietly and so far as possible unnoticed and unknown.
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or die each year is greater than the number of women who join religious orders. The median age of nuns is 68 years. There are fewer sisters as role models for young women.
Religious life is not for the faint-hearted. It is considered a radical life choice, committed to prayer, community and unselfish service. In an age when primary secular values are sex, power and money, nuns are vowed to chastity, obedience and poverty.
Sister Rose Loraine Matsuzaki, who oversees the infirmary at St. Francis Convent, reflects, “I had no intentions of joining a nunnery, but I was curious. I wanted to know what sisters do. I entered in 1952, and I have no regrets. There’s so much to do, and so many people to help.”
Another who is part of the mission is Sister Richard Marie Toal, 91, who ministered to Hansen’s disease patients on Kalaupapa for 41 years. Growing up in New Jersey, she had read about Kalaupapa, but had to wait 10 years before she was called to the Hawaii mission.
“I liked it very much,” she says recalling her days on Molokai. “I had very happy days. I enjoyed going to the shore on my day off to go fishing.”
But leisure time was limited at the isolated colony. Mother Marianne had set up high standards of cleanliness and patient care that required diligent daily routines.
Now retired and residing at St. Francis Convent in Manoa, Sister Toal lives a quieter life that is light on fishing but heavy on prayer.
She will no doubt be delighted with the commemorative calendar that has been produced for the 125th anniversary.
A limited-edition calendar featuring striking photos of Kalaupapa by photographer Kim Taylor Reece will be available by special request to the Sisters of St. Francis. The release of the calendar launches a year of anniversary tributes which will end Nov. 8 next year with a re-enactment of the sisters’ 1883 arrival.
Events to mark the anniversary are:
* Nov. 8, 2007: Opening liturgy, 5:30 p.m., Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
* Jan. 23, 2008: Blessed Marianne feast day liturgy, 7 p.m., Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
* Aug. 9, 2008: Musical concert featuring a national act. Details to be confirmed.
* Nov. 8, 2008: Closing liturgy, noon, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, to include a re-enactment of the sisters’ arrival with a royal welcome and a horse-drawn carriage through downtown Honolulu.
Public participation at these events would be a fitting tribute to the Sisters of St. Francis, who have a proud legacy of achievement in our community.
Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, the sisters say they will continue to “preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
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