Who We Are
Get to know a little better the current members of our Community. God has called us from so many different walks of life and countries that we truly are like a miniature of the Catholic, universal Church.
Mother Mary Gertrude, PCPA, Abbess—Where she called home: San Fernando City, Philippines
The Eucharist is the HEART of my call to be a nun. Confronted with challenges in life, I always found strength and peace in the Sacraments, in Holy Communion. Called to be a perpetual adorer of the Eucharist, my life as a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration continues to be a fruitful journey and I am tremendously blessed. What a GIFT to live in a Community of contemplative women whose way of life is giving praise and thanksgiving for God’s gift of the Eucharist as we witness to be a visible sign of God’s love and peace in our broken world by the love we have for one another and for all whose lives we touch. My heart is filled with gratitude and joy for all that He has done in my life. I strive daily to live in awareness of His abiding LOVE and PRESENCE… for His ongoing call to personal and communal wholeness. “One thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek; to dwell in the house of the Lord and contemplate His temple.” (Psalm 27)
Sister Mary Magdalen, PCPA, Vicar—Where she called home: St. Petersburg, FL
“In season and out of season” my life is entirely meaningful because I see that He is altogether the CAPTAIN OF MY LIFE AND HEART! I pray that His beautiful Will be completely fulfilled in me.
Sister Mary Agnes, PCPA, Councillor—Where she called home: Moshi, Tanzania
I was an active Sister in Tanzania, East Africa. However, I felt inspired to enter a Community with Eucharistic Adoration in gratitude to Jesus for His unconditional Love. The Love of God and the Spirit of poverty of St. Francis and St. Clare drew me to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in 2007. My vocation as a cloistered nun is a mystery hidden in the Eucharist. I learn from Jesus the ways of simplicity and humility. Our community life centered in the Eucharist is a Gift. “Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, burning with love for me, Inflame my heart with Love for You.”
Sister Marion Celine, PCPA—Where she called home: Brooklyn, NY
Each day here at Sancta Clara Monastery is an adventure in God. I delight in whatever I do – whether it’s spending precious time with our Eucharistic Jesus, praying for others, meeting the challenges of the moment, or enjoying the company of my Sisters in Community. I know beyond a doubt that communing with Jesus is my life Source and I fully trust His wisdom and Love in all the circumstances of life. My lifelong love of Jesus in the Eucharist reached its fulfillment when I totally committed myself to Him and made perpetual vows on the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1998.
Sister Mary Immanuel, PCPA—Where she called home: Dubuque, IA
My Eucharistic Jesus, King of my Heart, called me to cloistered, religious life and I came. The yearning to abide within never ceases. The gift of vocation unfolds daily. Living unity in Community inspired by St. Clare takes Gospel life a step further and offers a burning love for others from which to make choices in the moment. Come and See the story.
Sister Marie Dominique, PCPA—Where she called home: Tokyo, Japan
I was born in a Buddhist family from Japan but through God's grace converted to Catholicism...which is the biggest and the most important thing that ever happened in my life. I never realized that God exists and that He loves me. His wonderful and mysterious ways are incomprehensible. He picked me up among the Gentiles and called me to belong totally to Him.
Sister Mary Cecilia, PCPA—Where she called home: Diatagon, Philippines and then France
Living in cloistered life in the Order of Saint Clare for 33 years, my coming here for transfer is a continued living out of my consecrated life as a contemplative Sister following in the footsteps of Saints Francis and Clare. I am happy and fulfilled in my present life, my new family, and my new Community committed to radical Gospel living and authentic living of the Eucharistic life of Perpetual Adoration as deeply embedded in our charism.
Perpetual Adoration: this is the life that I’ve been longing for for a long time. This treasure that I picked wisely and profoundly moved me to transfer to this Community. Being contemplatives, we are called the “power house” of the Church since we contribute to the mission of the Church by our intense life of prayer and daily self-giving. Being alone with the ALONE before the presence of our Eucharistic Lord in my hour of praise and adoration provides me space for presence within myself before God in silence and being attentive to my inner world and His nearness. Eucharistic Adoration renews my union with God and I always find peace and joy in my heart-to-heart encounters with the living Christ in the Eucharist.
Sister Maria Teresina (transfer Sister)—Where she called home: Dapitan City, Philippines and then Rome, Italy
I am a newly transfer here in this loving Community. Coming from Rome after the closing of our monastery after living with my Sisters there for almost 24 years is not an easy transition for me. God knows how weak I am and how many times I have wanted to give up…but then His Love, His Will, and His Promise is true; it is forever.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Community here. Mother Abbess and the Sisters are really my angels as they make my days lighter to carry on by helping me to let go of all the things that need to through their love and prayers and understanding while struggling to detach myself completely and to face the new challenges.
God brings me here to this place because He knows what is the best for me. And I can only say how God manifests His Presence, fulfilling His promises from the beginning. Like in the Old Testament God talked to Moses and many others face to Face. In the New Testament God sent Jesus to His People and mingled with them and with His Disciples. Nowadays He keeps His Loving Presence in the Holy Eucharist. And how privileged I am that we have Perpetual Adoration. And to everyone I will promise to keep you in my heart while praising God as long as I live.
Sr. Jose Maria Jacinta (transfer Sister)—Where she called home: Palompon, Philippines and then France
In the Eucharist I encounter Jesus Who totally offered Himself for the sake of humanity and is calling me to become like Him: an offering. He called me to enter the religious life not for myself but for others. Every moment that I spend with our Eucharistic Lord is not simply to delight in His Presence but that I be totally available in comforting the world in the embrace of my prayers.
Sister Mary Clare, PCPA (5th year Temporary Vows…the last one before solemn profession)—Where she called home: Moshi, Tanzania
O Crucified Jesus, may I gaze upon You, consider You, contemplate You as I desire to imitate You. Conscious of my unique call in the Heart of the Church as an enclosed, contemplative nun, I dedicate my entire self to live the fullness of EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. As Mother Mary totally trusted and accepted God’s will in her life, may I live to do the same! My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1: 46-47
Sister Bridget Marie, PCPA (2nd year Temporary Vows)—Where she called home: Clay Center, OH
My vocation didn’t start with having to have perpetual adoration or adoration at all. It was just a desire to do what He wanted and created me to do to help accomplish His will on earth. Jesus slowly drew me to Him in the Blessed Sacrament by showing me He wants adorers, adorers that never leave, that make reparation, that thank Him for all His goodness to mankind and the world, and that trust Him with all their hearts to let Him love them and provide for them—something He is just waiting and aching to do but due to our free wills, He waits patiently for our “yes”. He showed that to me in such a way I can’t describe in words and I have just begun that lifelong journey of being one of those adorers who adore Him truly present in the Eucharist daily. I can only say “thank you” back to Jesus but that is never enough. My life has to be one long act of thanksgiving, reparation, and trust. Only then will the oneness with Him be truly attained and then only in heaven.
Sister Thérèse Marie, PCPA (1st year Temporary Vows)—Where she called home: Waterford, PA
He is my peace in the middle of the storm, my hope for years to come. He gives me rest and leads me to green pastures, my Good Shepherd, my Beloved.
Even though I was raised Catholic, I never really knew what Adoration was. When I went away to college, my faith really became my own and soared to new heights! Our merciful Lord drew me closer and closer to His Eucharistic Heart, calling me to humbly Adore Him along with Mary Magdalene and the shepherds and Magi in Bethlehem. I have found the One Whom my heart desires. Now I can say with the psalmist, “My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold,” and, “One day within Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere”.
“The Lord is worthy of all praise.” O come let us Adore Him!
Sister Mary Alice (Extern Postulant)—Where she called home: Hartville, OH
I was at a point in my life when I wanted to live for God instead of for myself. My devotion to the rosary encouraged me to take a much bigger step. Mother Mary, the first Tabernacle, has led me to the beautiful world of adoration of her Son in the Most Holy Sacrament. Every day is an opportunity of praise and thanksgiving!
Sister Lucia (Postulant)—
Where she called home: Seoul, Korea
Everyday, I sing with the psalmist how great our Eucharistic Lord is! He is my rock and my salvation. His steadfast love alone is the same yesterday, today and forever in this ever-shifting world. He is the fountain of living water. As I look upon the one whom I pierced, His merciful gaze pierces my heart and draws the hymn of thanksgiving overflowing with gladness and joy. He is the source of unfailing light because in Him, we contemplate the divine mystery at the crib, the cross and the altar dawning upon mankind. My desire is to become another Eucharist, a daily thanksgiving sacrifice that gives glory to our Heavenly Father by living the spirit of adoration to the Most Blessed Sacrament. I know with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her chaste spouse St. Joseph, my life on earth can be transformed into a Eucharistic procession heavenward.
Are you the next one whom God is calling to join our Community? Contact our Vocation Directress using the information on our Vocation Inquiry page.