Canonization of MOTHER marie eugenie

Your Thoughts and Stories, II

From Susan in California

I am filled with love and gratitude towards Mother Marie Eugenie. I am originally from Metz, France and would never have guessed that our small town would one day have a Saint!

Thank you, Mother, for your love of Christ and for being a role model to us. Your picture will travel with me and bless my family in Sacramento, California.

From Enid in California

We had our monthly company Mass on May 3rd. I shared that at this point in my life, where much of what I'm doing is connected to the pilgrimage to Rome and France, and to the retreat that the Southern California Alumnae are having this weekend here at my office, I'm taking a "refresher" course. It's like a "brainwashing" event where I am filled with Mother Foundress all over again, and the Gospel speaks of a New Jerusalem. It's bringing me back to my vocation, to what Assumption meant to me, back to the NEWNESS of what Jesus was all about, and why Mother Foundress urged that there be a fourth vow - the extension of His Kingdom. Jesus came to tell us about the Father and to tell the whole world that the Father's Kingdom is all about love ... not violence and hatred and war and hunger and fear. We need this newness. This world needs this newness. We need to radiate this newness. Thanks, Sisters, for continuing to bring MME to our attention and to reflect upon her and our lives.

From Sandra, a Bay Haven (Miami) alumna

I am very proud to be a Child of the Assumption. Till this day my memories of the time spent at Bay Haven (class of '67) are very happy ones. You had to be there and experience the dedication of the Sisters, the love and care given to us/me back then. Till this day, almost 39 years have passed and I keep in contact with Mother Blanca Arnaiz, in Gijon, Spain.

I congratulate all the Sisters and all my fellow school mates all over the world.

From Raquel in Washington D.C.

Last March 27th (2007), I had to bring my husband to the hospital for renal failure. He was very weak and somewhat disoriented. The doctors could not find the cause for his renal failure, but treated him first by rehydrating his body. They decided on dialysis as a last-minute measure if all else fails. Meanwhile they subjected him to all kinds of tests to determine the cause of the failure. I dedicated him to Mere Marie Eugenie, and placed my trust in her and Jesus. They never did determine the cause, only conjectures. However, after one week, his kidneys regenerated completely, and they are as good as new with no physical or structural damage. He is home now. My prayers are now of praise to God and thanks to Him and MME.

From Ellen in Ohio

I was introduced to Mother Marie Eugenie by Sr. Mary Joan Rice in Lansdale, PA. Not only does she stay by me and my family - I believe she lives within our home. She renewed my love for the Lord. I was diagnosed with MS six years ago - I couldn't walk or move my hands too well. After many silent prayers to MME, today I am able to work part-time. She will be in our thoughts and prayers June 3.

From Astrid

Mother Marie Eugenie gave us a gift three years ago. She gave me and my husband a miracle. Eight years into our marriage we were childless and the doctors couldnt find any wrong with either me or my husband. During a visit to Manila, a cousin of my husband gave us a copy of a prayer to Mother Marie Eugenie and a relic. It was a last minute thing because we were about to fly back to Cebu that morning.

We prayed to Mother Marie Eugenie and felt every word of the prayer. We prayed for her to help us conceive. It was February 2004. We gave it all up and put everything in the hands of our Lord and Mother Marie Eugenie.

Without any medical intervention, on May 2004 I conceived. We have never stopped praying and thanking Mother Marie Eugenie to this day. We have learned to live our lives as a constant "Yes" to the Lord. Mother Marie Eugenie touched us deeply in our hearts and sealed our faith solid. Our beautiful miracle, Charlotte Alyssa Eugenie, turned 3 years old last January 31, 2007. We are most excited and happy about the canonization of Mother Marie
Eugenie.

From Dolly in Portland, Oregon

"God is our Father and, at any moment, we can throw ourselves into His arms."

On the passage above, today more than any other I just "needed a hug" -- and lo and behold, I open this page and here's God's message to me...

As MME's thought for the day says, I "threw myself into God's loving embrace."

From the Coughlin Family in Massachusetts

"I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit." These words of Jesus in John's Gospel are what come to mind when I think of the Religious of the Assumption at Assumption College in Worcester, MA (aka "the Sisters”). The foundress of the order must truly be a Saint to have founded this family of saints.

My family has had the privilege of knowing the Sisters for almost 20 years. They have celebrated with us the births, baptisms, First Communions, and birthdays of our four children. Sisters Therese and Nuala are godmothers to two of our children. And they have cried with us with the miscarriage of one of our children and the death of my mother. The Sisters are truly a part of our family. We thank God for them and we love them all very much.

We wish the Sisters heart felt congratulations on the Canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie. As Sr. Monique once said, "Your joy is our joy."

From Julie

In 1991, I was in 2nd grade when Sr. Julia, RA was preparing my class for our First Holy Communion. That year made my life. Like Mother Marie Eugenie, I fell in love with our Lord when I first received Him. At that time, I remember the Sisters constantly reminding us and retelling the story of Mother Marie Eugenie’s life, her values, virtues, commitment and love for our Lord – how she was a good example to all of us. I collected the storybooks given to us by the Sisters and I was very fond of coloring them. I specifically remember one significant line that has become my favorite – one line that has shaped my life since then: “My life must be a constant ‘YES!’ to God.”

I will always admire Mother Marie Eugenie for her simplicity, kindness and compassion. And I am so enthusiastic and overjoyed that she will finally be canonized. I have been looking forward to that day all my life and I’m glad that it is finally going to happen! I may not make it to Rome for the big celebration this year but I sure am bombarding heaven with my prayers of praise and thanksgiving!

From Rey in California

How I miss studying and reading Mother Marie Eugenie's teachings. I have been here in the US for more than a year, but the things I learned from the RA's in the Philippines are still engraved in my heart. I was a faculty member of the Basic Education Division of Assumption College, Makati, Philippines. I taught there for 5 years. I always tried to incorporate the Gospel in my classes even if was teaching math. It was a great experience.

It was difficult to leave Assumption, and I wish that I could go back to teach in an RA school. In my exit interview with Sister Maitel, principal, I said that I would carry MME wherever I go, when i get married, when I have children. Two years have passed, and I still carry MME's teachings in my heart.

A trip to Rome is not possible at this time, but I'm really going to try to be in a church where there are Assumption Sisters on the day of the canonization.

From Sr. Nha Trang, RA in Worcester

Knowing the date of MME’s canonization is my joy this morning. Each day as I reread one chapter of MME's biography I feel she is talking to me. She accompanies me on my journey by helping me to find God's presence in my studies. At this moment, I do not find my studies as a heavy duty, but as a joyful journey of seeking God and being with Him.

From Risa in the Philippines

I love Mother Marie Eugenie because she helps me in school and at home. The end.

From Cynch in the Philippines

There are many alumnae who graduated from Assumption schools in the Philippines who are involved with passion and dedication in various ways of transforming society, based on Gospel values. Some as communities, others as individuals within other institutions...many ways of living out the "constant YES". I feel that Assumption education has inculcated a very deep sense of the spiritual -- there is a constant longing to say YES to God, to deepen that relationship with God.

I work as a psycho-spiritual counselor/human formation facilitator for seminaries and religious formation houses and I often find myself challenged and challenging. If Assumption is to make a dent in this era, we must continue to find fresh ways to be more inclusive in our witnessing to "allowing the GOOD to break through the rock that imprisons it." "Constant YES" must be a discerning heart that finds God in all and affirms the good in all.

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