A New Sister Joins the Community

We are happy and blessed to welcome among us Sister Nancy El-Najjar who joined us last week all the way from Lebanon. Sister Nancy, who renewed her temporary vows last year, was recently assigned to our community here in the U.S. She will be completing her studies at the Ursuline College in Cleveland to obtain a degree in education.

Renewal of Vows

On Saturday January 16, our Antonine Sisters Community in North Jackson, OH celebrated the Feast of its patron saint: Saint Anthony the Great. We started the day with the morning prayer of the Divine Office, followed by a spiritual reflection and discussion led by Fr. Rodolphe Wakim, from Our Lady of Victory Parish in Pittsburgh. After taking time for personal prayer and meditation, we gathered back to end our spiritual retreat with the Divine liturgy during which we renewed our vows.

In the picture: The Antonine sisters are gathered in their Chapel after the Renewal of Vows Liturgy. From left to right: Sister Celine Nohra, Msgr. Anthony Spinosa (Our lady of Lebanon Shrine Rector), Sr. Marie Madeleine Iskandar (Local Superior), Fr. Rodolphe Wakim (Retreat Director), Sr. Claudette Bou Saade, Sr. Cosette Ghanem, Sr. Kawsar Choufani.

Saint Anthony's Feastday

January 17 is the feastday of Saint Anthony of the Desert, the patron Saint for the Antonine Sisters. The Antonine Sisters celebrate the feast by meeting together for prayer and reflection and renewing their vows during Divine Liturgy. Prayers will be offered for all those who have answered God's call to religious life, as well as for all individuals who are contemplating such vocation.

For information on the life of Saint Anthony who lived as a hermit click here.