Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary –  Sister Joan Marie Berchmans, I.H.M.               “Tota pulchra es, O Maria”  –  “You are completely beautiful”  (referring to the Virgin Mary)                                                   “A joyful bearer of God’s redeeming love”

Founders:  Reverend Louis Florent Gillet, C.Ss.R.                                                                                                       Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin

Place:  Monroe, Michigan

Year:  1845 A.D.

Her Charism:  The spirit of this Sister, like St. Alphonsus Liguori, is the spirit of Jesus Christ the Redeemer.  She offers herself in Love which manifests itself in joyful service to God and His people, in Creative Hope which puts all its trust into the loving providence of God, in Fidelity and perseverance to her vocation, and Zeal for her mission in the Church.  This Sister has an acute sensitivity and large-heartedness to human need which becomes real in her kindness, compassion, availability, approachability, and accessibility  Through education, hospital and prison ministries, retreat work, campus ministry and social work, she carries out Jesus’ mandate to “Go and teach all nations.”  Her life engenders hope and is a gift of Praise, Love, and Thanksgiving which proclaims the Good News of God’s unconditional love for all, while embracing Mary, the first disciple, as her model for a life rooted in God and enduring love.