Poor Clare Nuns (OSC)
25th First Profession
Sister Mary Elizabeth Smith of the Holy Name of Jesus
Birth name: Cecelia Smith
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
First profession: 1998
Education: Gaithersburg High School in Maryland
St. John the Baptist High School in St. Louis, graduating in 1994
Service in the archdiocese: I have spent my entire religious life as a cloistered contemplative nun praying and sacrificing for the needs of the Church and the world at the Monastery of St. Clare in St. Louis. I have served as the portress at the door and answering the telephone, as sacristan, councilor, mistress of novices, vicaress and abbess. I am privileged to be the organist. Frequently I am called upon as a “troubleshooter” in all the areas around the monastery. I also continue to work with the altar bread hosts, as cook, secretary, care of the elderly, in maintenance/upkeep and sewing.
About Sister Mary Elizabeth Smith of the Holy Name of Jesus: When in high school, I very much enjoyed singing in the school choir, at school Masses and in the spring musicals. Music has been such a gift and a grace in my life. I discerned God’s call to enter religious life in my sophomore year of high school while on a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreat. After much prayer and visiting many different communities, I entered the Monastery of Saint Clare in Oakville after my graduation. Now, I give praise to God 24/7/365. One frequently asked question is: Do you take a vow of silence? Laughing, I tell them that it would be impossible to keep quiet! And, no, we do not talk in sign language either. We are able to speak when something needs to be said or is work related. The rest of the time we speak and listen to God and try not to talk about whatever comes into our minds. This is quite a challenge. However, we do have one period a day when the sisters all gather to talk and share about things. I know that my sacrifices of silence, along with all the sacrifices of our life, are vital in my role for helping people get to heaven.
60th First Profession
Sister Mary Stella of the Immaculate Conception
Birth name: Pauline Hoffmann
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1961
First profession: 1963
Education: St. Anthony of Padua Grace School and High School, St. Louis
Service in the archdiocese: I have been a cloistered contemplative Poor Clare nun at the Monastery of St. Clare in Oakville, praying for the needs of the Church and the world. In the past few years, my prayer has been especially for the “All Things New” initiative and for the Franciscan Friars restructuring of the American provinces into one national province.
About Sister Mary Stella of the Immaculate Conception: As a child, I loved to visit church after school to talk to Jesus, so when I entered the monastery, I enjoyed living under the same roof as Jesus and having Him so close. As a Franciscan, I have found joy in serving my community as councilor, vicaress, portress, sacristan and bursar as well as printing, secretarial, maintenance, gardening and sewing work and helping in whatever area I am asked to help. As I grow older I am finding much more spiritual support and inspiration from our communal daily Mass and Divine Office and our shared Franciscan community life. “For those who love God all things work together for good.” (Romans 8:28) May God be praised for His loving graces to me in the last 60 years!