On Tuesday, our humble little family of 12 grew!

 After bidding farewell to their families, our new Candidates knocked on the door of Regina Pacis Convent, asking to be admitted as Aspirants to the life of a Marian Sister of Santa Rosa.  

In the spring, Sister Gardener launched into a fun endeavor: growing sunflowers! A basic rule of gardening is to plant a few more seeds than desired in the case that not all of them sprout. Much to Sister's surprise (and our enjoyment), all the seeds decided to sprout and blossom this summer! 

Eucharistic Procession led by Cardinal Burke (Napa Institute Photo)

​We can well understand the predilection of the Man-God for this soul, whose repentance from such a depth of misery manifested so fully, from the outset, the success of his mission, the defeat of Satan, and the triumph of Divine love. ... ​When the very Apostles, including John the beloved, were looking for honors and first places, she was the first to come to Jesus for himself alone, and not for his gifts.

With grateful hearts we extend a hearty "thank you" to all who made our annual BBQ such a delightful day for God's glory. May God, who is never outdone in generosity, bless abundantly each of you - our generous hosts, dedicated Committee members and volunteers, families, and all who supported us by your prayers and presence.

Our love for our Lady, Queen and Mother of Religious Life, is renewed and manifested by our expressions of devotion related to each of her feastdays. On this feast of the Flower of Mount Carmel, we reflect in gratitude on her gift, the brown scapular, which we wear as a sign of our union with Jesus and Mary. We trust that as we strive to imitate Christ her Son she will wrap us in her maternal mantle of protection, strengthening us in the battle against evil.

A "flock" of Sisters out and about together inevitably results in stares, not-so-discrete-pictures, videos, and requests for prayers. Add to the group a priest in cassock and zucchetto, and the interest is magnified. Recently, a number of the Sisters went to visit our Chaplain's new assignment, the Newman Center at Sonoma State University. Occasions such as walking through a secular college campus in habit cause our own attention to this expression of our life of consecration to be heightened. It gives an opportunity to reflect more deeply on what the habit means and why we wear it.