JourneysJourneysSISTERS OF ST. CASIMIR Vol. XXIV No. 3 Fall 2010 Venerable Servant of God Written by virtue of hope, the theo- Sr. Margaret Petcavage, SSC logian stated that Mother Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Maria Kaupas possessed this in a heroic degree as was supported by he word alone — a witness, “I am convinced “VENERABLE” that Mother Maria was T resounds with a a saint. She did practice feeling of loftiness, good- virtue in a heroic degree. ness and respect, that She had many hardships which is benevolent and and heartaches yet always holy. On July 1, 2010 Pope lived in the hope that God Benedict XVI proclaimed would be ready to help in Maria Kaupas, our found- all situations.” ress, as “Venerable Servant Mother’s humility and of God” – a title which en- compassion was outstand- compasses the very life of ing. As one Sister stated, Mother Maria. Since that “She never showed anger, day unspeakable joy and although she firmly and thanksgiving have pervad- resolutely called upon the ed the hearts of the Sisters, Sisters to bring our way their families and friends. of living into perfect con- A Commission of formity with Divine Law nine theologians and sev- and the Evangelical coun- eral Bishops agreed unani- sels. When speaking with mously that Mother Maria her she was consoling and merits the title of “Vener- Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas made one feel the virtues able.” Their agreement was Foundress of the Sisters of St. Casimir which are attached to a based on the “Positio,” a God was not above all a wrote, “Finally we have this mother’s loved name… She 702 page book describing Lithuanian who happened explicit testimony from an always manifested her ten- her life, her ministry and to be Catholic. She was a eyewitness when she testi- der solicitude and a loving her fervent love for the Catholic who happened to fied, ‘Mother Maria had insight into the needs of Lord and God’s people, be Lithuanian…; she was an extraordinary spirit of others.” Others comment- all through the eyes of 54 altogether ready to serve faith. She saw God in ev- ed on Mother Maria’s very witnesses, as well as others people in the Church of erything.’” Another testi- humanness, “…she made who had known her. any ethnic derivation.” fied, “I dare to think and sure recreation was pro- One theologian wrote He went on to enumerate affirm that Mother Maria vided for the Sisters. She in his vote, “Of course, her heroic virtuous life as was a saintly person, cho- had a good sense of humor. as is altogether clear in seen through the response sen for a special mission.” She enjoyed practical jokes the Positio, the Servant of of several witnesses. He As for Mother Maria’s and reading the comics.” (“Venerable” continued on page 3) Homily given by Rev. Tom Kasputis Mass for the Beatification of Mother Maria – August 7, 2010 Fr. Kasputis is Pastor of St. Rene Goupil Parish, Chicago, IL 2 SISTERS OF ST. CASIMIR "Journeys" — FALL 2010 WWW.SSC2601.COM sion and willingness to respond to the needs of her time. Dear Friends, We extend our special thanks to you for praying for July 1, 2010 began like any other this Cause and ask that you continue to pray for Mother day. In a day in the life of a Sister Maria’s beatification and eventual canonization. We also of St. Casimir, that means that by invite you to ask Mother Maria’s intercession, in hope of 7:00 A.M. most Sisters will have miracles that can be attributed to her care. gathered in Chapel for Morning May these holy words of Mother Maria offer us a Prayer, and the Eucharistic Litur- roadmap for our own journey toward holiness: ‘Always gy celebration to be followed by more, always better, always with love.’ Let us rejoice and breakfast and then off to address give praise to God for this awesome and profound gift of the work of the day. Mother Maria! For me, personally, by 8:15 A.M. I was at an off-site Maria High School Executive Committee meeting when Venerable Servant of God, someone interrupted to say that there was an important Mother Maria, pray for us! call for a ‘Sister’. That had to be me! On the line was Sister Margaret Zalot announcing that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, had declared Mother Maria VEN- General Superior, ERABLE SERVANT OF GOD! This wonderful news Sisters of St. Casimir was released in the Vatican Press. We have waited so long to hear these words! Going back to the meeting, with "Venerable" continued from page 1 tears of joy that could not be contained, I shared the awe- some news with the committee members. The witnesses’ words give but a brief glimpse into Upon my return to the Motherhouse, the Sisters and who Mother Maria truly was. It would take several employees had already received the news and jubilantly volumes to further elaborate upon her deep faith, hope lifted up their voices in praise and gratitude to God. and love for the Lord and her compassion to all with Tears of joy flowed freely throughout the day, as we be- whom she lived and met. A Sister’s personal reflec- gan to fully grasp the meaning of this proclamation. Our tion on this venerable woman may best summarize her foundress, Mother Maria, has been raised to the heights greatness. of holiness! For the Sisters who actually knew her, this was profound! The outpouring messages of congratulations and sharing in our joy began to be received from all over. Newspaper headlines echoed the Vatican announcement: ‘Pope recognizes heroic virtues of founder of Chicago- based order’, ‘Another step toward sainthood’, ‘Pope cites Mother Kaupas’, ‘Sisters honor their Venerable Mother Maria’, ‘Destination: Sainthood’, ‘Cause Ad- vances for Sister Who Founded Community in Mount Carmel.’ … Charity found large room in her heart. It sealed her What is the reason, you may ask, that we honor these character with the stamp of true greatness. In her life, all ‘holy people’, ‘the saints’ who have journeyed on this was quiet – peace and delicate kindness. It was a pleasure earth as we do today? We need their heavenly assistance to deal with her. One could always be so certain of full at- and the example of their lives. They were not born ‘holy’, tention, a desire to understand, an ability to sympathize, a but by using the gifts God gave them, they accomplished giving of self without stint. Those under her charge knew great things. By their ordinary lives, lived in love and fi- her to be a true MOTHER, with a heart full of love and delity, they became extraordinary. We, too, can follow in deep interest. Acquaintances outside the convent knew her their footsteps by living good and holy lives, making that for a true friend. She forced herself on no one. She simply small difference in this world in which we live and that is drew hearts by the warmth of the charity burning in her so in need of compassion, justice, and peace. own. Her charity was all embracing yet detailed; above Mother Maria’s life exemplifies her love of God all there was no show of temper, the haste of impatience, through her prayerfulness, her great faith, and her deep or some indication of being played out. The secret of her trust in Divine Providence. She displayed heroic love of loveliness of disposition and of her sweet power of peace neighbor through her compassion, her great sense of mis- was found centered in HIM, the GOD of her heart. WWW.SSC2601.COM SISTERS OF ST. CASIMIR "Journeys" — FALL 2010 3 A Time for Rejoicing ugust 15th dawned a beautiful day both out- doors and inside the Motherhouse where family A and friends of our Golden Jubilarians gathered in a spirit of joy and celebration. Something very spe- cial and unusual about this year’s Jubilarians, Sr. Joyce Ann Dopkin and Sr. Nilda Varanauskas, is that both are missioned in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sr. Joyce Ann, born in the United States, has served in Argentina for over 40 years. Sr. Nilda, a native Argentine, has served there all her religious life in various capacities. The Eucharistic Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. An- Sister AscunciÓn Costantini and Argentine guests, Filomena Freire and thony Pizzo, OSA. Father Pizzo is fluent in Spanish and Fabian Lopez, paid a surprise tribute to Sister Joyce Ann Dopkin at the Jubilee luncheon by singing hymns Sister Joyce Ann had composed. has a great appreciation for the Sisters’ ministry. He in- terspersed his homily and other parts of the liturgy us- hymn, “Come Thou Chosen of the Lord,” in Spanish. ing the Spanish language, delighting those present and After communion, Srs. Joyce Ann and Nilda placed reflecting the true character of the Sisters’ lives and a candle on the Blessed Mother altar in remembrance of ministry in another culture. In addition to family and Sr. Rosemarie Tomasiewicz who was a member of their friends who traveled from various distances to celebrate profession group and was called to her eternal home this special milestone, the Sisters rejoiced in having three on July 3, 2000. They also placed a rose on the altar people who traveled from Argentina to be with them. asking Mary “to present to God all the prayers, works, The Sisters of St. Casimir choir, together with the joys and sufferings that were woven into these years.” women who joined their voices to theirs, was directed by Srs.