We must never define ourselves by our current ability to function, but by our “reason for being”, and how we can fulfil that reason.

So said Archbishop Edward Gilbert on September 10, at a Mass in celebration of the golden jubilees (50 years) of religious profession of five Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny.

The five jubilarians - Sisters Jerome Boland, Genevieve Baptiste, Gertrude Tang Kai, Regina Leiba and Ann Marie Rodriguez all made their professions on August 27, 1955 .

The celebration – Holy Mass in the Convent chapel followed by a luncheon – was held on the compound of St Joseph 's Convent, Port of Spain . Joining the local community of Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, led by Provincial Superior Sr Gabrielle Mason, were other religious, family members, friends, and well-wishers.

Among the attendees were many teachers and former teachers with whom the sisters have worked over the years. Past pupils from North America and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, together with representatives from the Philippines and China also joined the Cluny Sisters to celebrate with the jubilarians.

More than 15 priests, including Fr Neil Rodriguez, CSSp, brother of Sr Ann Marie, concelebrated the Mass with chief celebrant Archbishop Gilbert.

In his opening remarks, the Archbishop said the celebration gave the jubliarians an opportunity to thank God for their work and lives, and gave the archdiocese an opportunity to thank the jubilarians “for what they have done for the Church.” “It is a celebration with meaning,” he said.

Sr Gabrielle gave a brief outline of the work done by the jubilarians over the years, noting that each were former school principals, had held leadership roles in their convent communities, and two had even held the post of Provincial. She also spoke of the jubilarians' work outside the Caribbean , in West Africa the Philippines and China .

“Today is Glory day,” Sr Gabrielle said. “Two hundred and fifty years of working to establish the dignity and humanity of God's people,” she remarked, before reading a letter of congratulations from the Mother General Sr Morag Collins.

Fellow sisters later highlighted the life's work of each jubilarian. (The profiles of the Sisters, as well as the Provincial's introductory remarks, will be carried in the subsequent issue).

Fr Clyde Harvey greets Sr Regina at the sign of peace. Other jubilarians, from left, are Srs Genevieve, Jerome, Gertrude and Ann Marie (partly hidden)

Congratulatory messages were also sent on the day of the celebration from Archbishop Kelvin Felix from St Lucia, Srs Maria Garland and Evangelist from Ireland.

Several other letters and messages of congratulations had been received earlier from different sources, including the Province of New Zealand and the Philippines .

Archbishop Gilbert, in his homily, said the celebration was public witness to the religious life, noting that all vocations – single, religious, priestly and marriage - feed each other. He said the religious life was special through the vows taken and its commitment to ministry.

He added that the archdiocese has been gifted with extraordinary men and women religious. Archbishop Gilbert said religious life must never be defined “in terms of function, but always in terms of nature”.

He urged religious orders and congregations to constantly redefine themselves, but maintain their “reason for being”. This applies to all vocations. He advised orders and congregations to “aggressively” work towards building their future by renewing their communities.

After the sermon, the jubilarians stood before the altar and renewed their vows of “Obedience, of Chastity, of Poverty, in the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny and according to its Constitutions.” They then all sang the Magnificat in Latin. The liturgy continued as usual.

At the Sign of Peace many in the congregation left their seats to greet the jubilarians. The congratulatory hugs and greetings continued after Mass during the luncheon. - RS