Sister Mary of the Redemption Mansfield, SOLT

SOAR! recently spoke with Sister Mary of the Redemption, a founding member of the Sisters of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) in Corpus Christi, Texas. She shares her story below.  

What attracted you to become a Sister and how did you come to be a founding member of the SOLT community?  

I met Father Flanagan in 1953, five years before SOLT began in 1958. He was a young assistant pastor and had just been ordained. He had served in another parish first for a time and then came to St. Patrick’s in Lowell, Massachusetts, where I met him. I would go to confession to him weekly. He shared with me his plans of starting this new community. I knew I had a vocation to religious life but I was kind of postponing it and was working. He discovered it in my first confession to him. He asked me if I thought I had a vocation and I said, “Yes, but I’m waiting.” 

Father Flanagan had already received from God an understanding that he was to found a community of priests, religious and laity, all three. So, in my first confession to him he asked me if I had a vocation to religious life, so the spiritual friendship and spiritual direction began right at that time. I was in my early twenties. 

What has been your greatest joy as a SOLT Sister?  

Being united to Christ as a Spouse of Christ in the community of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. 

What has been your greatest challenge over the years as a Sister?  

Being faithful of course to my vocation. I think there are so many ways that religious are challenged in that basic calling of God. We have to be aware of it. 

What advice would you give to novices or young Sisters? 

Be faithful to God especially in your interior communication with Him. 

Do you have a favorite story? 

I go back really to meeting the founder because I think that was the key. And it certainly opened the door to a wonderful life in obedience to God. It’s a very happy life when we are obedient to God and God’s will. I think sometimes people look for something outside, but we know that God’s interior calling is a tremendous blessing to just a few of us in this world. To be faithful to that is what really makes us happy. You’re at peace, right? Happiness and peace comes from that oneness with Christ. 

Here at the Motherhouse, your vocation is especially steeped in prayer, adoration and Mass. How do you see yourself bringing the grace of God to people in the world today through your vocation now? 

I think the primary work is that of union of Christ; of prayer. Christ shows us the details.