All Saints Sister of the Poor
All Saints Sister of the Poor – Sister Victoria Rose, A.S.S.P. *former Anglican Community received into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2009* An early pioneer in the field of nursing, a la Florence Nightingale, and later in hospice care “Nihil habentes, Omnia possidentes” – “As having nothing, yet possessing all things”
Foundress: Harriet Brownlow Byron (Anglican – 1851 A.D.) Mother Emily Ann Lindsey (Roman Catholic – September 3, 2009 A.D.)
Places: The Victorian London (England) of Charles Dickens (originally) and Catonsville, Maryland (presently)
Years: 1851 A.D. (London); 1872 A.D. (Baltimore); and 1917 A.D. (Catonsville)
Her Charism: This Sister’s life is firmly grounded in prayer and interior silence from which spring the blossoms of many corporal and spiritual works of mercy. These are at the heart of the attitude which she holds to be of the greatest importance to her growth in faith, hope, love, and true holiness. Embracing the Rule of St. Augustine combined with the customs and charism of the Daughters of Charity, this kind Sister lives in the spirit of the Beatitudes and is a sign of the presence of the Risen Christ. She is dedicated to all the saints which inspires her to remember that it is in the company of the saints that she follows Christ – even to Calvary. By her personal witness to the Truth, a rich prayer life, and devotion to the Eucharist, she is a peacemaker who creates a sacred space where others can be renewed by Jesus Christ. With a grateful heart toward God and a gentle humility toward her Sisters in communal life, she passes along the mercy, joy, and forgiveness she receives as a Beloved of Christ, through acts of charity and hospitality in its various forms. This Sister’s foremost mission, which is fostered by the Eucharist and the communal recitation of the Divine Office, is to “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling her.” Through her “mixed life” – one of weaving together a creative life of prayer and an active apostolic life of service to the poor – she creates the perfect garment to clothe the Body of Christ. Without being of the world, she remains attentive to human yearnings and sufferings. She brings the needs of our wounded world to the Lord in her intercessions, lovingly holding all before Him. Free to be God’s instrument, this Sister spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our spiritually starved culture and teaches the Faith serving the terminally ill and homeless in the dark corners of her town and neighborhood. Her ministry of the Word through Scriptural study and her ministry of hospitality at the Retreat House offer an opportunity in which to share her prayer and silence and help restore balance and bring Christianity to a world which has lost its way. With gentleness and simplicity she leads souls onward with the friendly light of Christ and looks forward to the day when there will truly be one flock and one Shepherd. Being a springboard for collaboration among Jesus’ disciples who strive to continue His mission of evangelization and charity, she cheerfully uses her talents to make rosaries and beautiful hand-crafted prayer cards. For this All Saints Sister, the charity of Christ urges her on and has no boundaries.