Mary's Visible Hands

Our appearance in public is an eschatological sign..., bringing with it... the obligation to preach the joy and peace of the Gospel, sometimes by word, sometimes in prayer, but always by example and the religious habit. ~ MSSR Constitutions

The witness of religious life, as an intimate living of the life of Christ, is a strong manifestation of the primacy of God and central place of love of God in human life. This witness is manifested first by who we are as consecrated persons, externally by what we wear and how we work, and finally by what we do - our public apostolates.

Our Life

Our consecration covers the whole of our life - our affections, our possessions, our autonomy. Lived authentically, it mirrors the joy, hope, and love of Christ to the world. Based on a deep relationship with Jesus, the Sister willingly accepts a pattern of life largely laid down for her by the horarium. She wears a distinctive religious garb that makes her immediately identifiable as a representative of Christ and His Church. Her place of residence is chosen for her and is marked by its religious simplicity. Her travel and contact with friends and loved ones is regulated by the norms of the community. In order to more fully identify herself with her Spouse, she practices a certain restraint in forms of relaxation and entertainment, giving up good things for the One Thing Necessary. 

Our Habit

The Vatican II document on religious, Perfectae Caritatis, states simply that "the religious habit, an outward mark of consecration to God, should be simple and modest, poor and at the same becoming." ​Our simple yet becoming habit of blue and white witnesses to our consecration and our Marian spirit. We wear it joyfully in imitation of Christ Who humbled Himself in taking on our humanity an being wrapped in swaddling clothes. This mystery, and all the mysteries of Christ's life, are called to mind each day by the Rosary and crucifix each Sister wears at her side. The habit in itself has an important evangelical impact, but its efficacy depends largely on it manifesting a simple yet profound interior life.

Our Manner

As women consecrated to making God's love visible to the world, each Sister strives to cultivate a Mary-like manner. Our manner, the way in which we do what we do, is to be marked by graciousness, human warmth, and the joy of following Christ. These qualities of manner depend on each Sister's continual internal attention to Whom it is she is working for, not on what it is that she does. When He becomes recognizably present in each task she does, the Sister is impelled to offer Him Mary's own heart and dispositions along with her labor.

Our Apostolates

Finally, after the witness of the life itself, the habit we wear, the manner we strive to work, comes the witness of our 'labors of love' for God and His people in this Diocese. These labors are primarily directed at fulfilling the two main aspects of our charism: joyful evangelization and support of the Sacred Liturgy. As Marian Sisters we are animated by a desire to magnify Jesus Christ in and through our lives of consecration to Mary. She teaches us how to mirror Christ to the world and we pray that she will share with us her strength of mind and her courageous will so that we can serve our Spouse faithfully. ​