It had been planned to hold a common celebration of the diamond and iron professions on 13 August 2022. However, due to Corona illnesses, the sisters in Limburg had to keep to themselves on that day. So Sr Anaclet Auer – 65 years – and Sr Clementia Burkhard and Sr Reinhild Ohm – both 60 years – celebrated with the Limburg community, while Sr Maria Reginata Nühlen, Sr Pacifica Sperlich and Sr Rita Lore Wicklein celebrated their 60th anniversary one day later, on 14 August, in Refrath.
On 13 August, the service in the Provincial House Chapel was presided over by Fr Wolfgang Weiss SAC. Referring to Mary’s life, he named the three aspects in his sermon: God surprises us, God demands faithfulness from us, and God is our strength. As for Mary, these words also apply to us, Fr Weiss encouraged the jubilarians and all those present: God says to us, trust in me, do not be afraid, let yourself be surprised and follow me. The joy that “comes from the freedom of commitment” – as one of the jubilarians said. This joy could be felt in the spirit of togetherness during the mass and at the festive lunch that followed in a small setting.
On 14 August, the three jubilarians in Refrath celebrated the jubilee in the parish church together with the sisters of their local community and the parish. Archbishop Dr. Heiner Koch from Berlin was the main celebrant who in his sermon mentioned three inspirations from religious life that show a way in the face of often experienced overload and hopelessness: The yes to the fact that we do not hold everything in our hands. – The hope that we are on the journey towards a good future. – The readiness to take small steps and thus to set signs of faith. Here too, the celebration continued in the gathering at the festive lunch that followed.
On the feast day itself, 15 August, the Pallottine Sisters in Limburg, together with the residents of House Felizitas, were happy to celebrate the Mass marking the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven with Bishop Dr Georg Baetzing. Bishop Georg called the Marian feast the “summer Easter”, which reminds us that the Easter event is a continuous process that is carried on in everyday life. In view of the various crises today, we could easily believe that death has the last word after all. But God gives life when we are with Jesus – once in heaven and already now. Jesus continues to struggle for life, with us and in us.
Photos: Sr. Maria Landsberger, SAC
