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Four Sisters of Life made final vows Aug. 6, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Cardinal Dolan served as principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass of Perpetual Profession at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The Sisters of Life take traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and a special fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life. The congregation was founded by Cardinal John O’Connor in 1991.
Sister Gemma Grace Marie, S.V., 33, was raised in Columbus, Ga., and belonged to Holy Family parish. She graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and Columbus State University with a master’s in teaching in secondary mathematics education before entering the Sisters of Life. Following first vows, she served three years in the Hope and Healing mission of accompaniment for women seeking healing after abortion. She serves in the Visitation Mission in Philadelphia, providing accompaniment and support to women experiencing unexpected pregnancies or adverse prenatal diagnoses. The daughter of William and Marion Harris, she has a brother and a sister.
Sister Maria Frassati, S.V., 32, was raised in Waltham, Mass., where she belonged to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted parish. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary studies and a minor in chemistry. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she was in medical research. In 2021, she was missioned to St. Anthony’s Convent in Catskill, a new mission dedicated to serving the Sisters of Life community and providing a spiritual center of prayer for the Diocese of Albany. She also served for two years at Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford, Conn., hosting retreats, and two years in the New York Visitation Mission in Manhattan, exploring life-giving options and providing resources and practical support to women experiencing unexpected pregnancies or adverse prenatal diagnoses. The daughter of John and Denise Zuppe, she has two brothers.
Sister Caroline Caritas, S.V., 30, was raised in Cresson, Pa., where she belonged to St. Francis Xavier parish. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Christendom College then entered the Sisters of Life. She has served at Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford, Conn., in the Hope and Healing mission of accompaniment for women seeking healing after abortion. She serves in Sacred Heart Holy Respite in Manhattan, where pregnant women live as guests of the sisters. The daughter of Tracey Ingold and the late Anthony Ingold, she has two sisters.
Sister Lucia Christi, S.V., 30, was raised in Indianapolis, where she belonged to Gabriel the Archangel parish. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Indiana University, then entered the Sisters of Life. She has served in the Visitation Mission in Manhattan, providing accompaniment and support to vulnerable pregnant women. In 2019, she moved to Denver, where she provides spiritual accompaniment to students and evangelization on college campuses. The daughter of Larry and Lisa Zetzl, she has three brothers.
Two other Sisters of Life made their final profession July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto. Cardinal Thomas Collins served as principal celebrant and homilist.
Sister Jeanne Marie, S.V., 42, was born in Malaysia and later moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where she belonged to Immaculate Conception parish. She graduated from the University of Auckland with a degree in mechanical engineering. She worked as an international travel consultant before entering the Sisters of Life. She was missioned to Toronto in 2021, serving vulnerable, pregnant women in crisis and those suffering after abortion, and offering spiritual retreats for men and women laboring to build a culture of life. The daughter of Dr. Raphael and Catherine Ng, she has three brothers and three sisters.
Sister Avelina Joseph, S.V., 29, was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and belonged to St. Matthew parish in Surrey, British Columbia. She graduated from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, with a bachelor’s degree in biology-ecology stream before entering the Sisters of Life. She was missioned to Toronto in 2021, serving vulnerable, pregnant women in crisis and those suffering after abortion, and offering spiritual retreats for those seeking to find God. The daughter of Fermin and Avelina Lagalagot, she has two sisters.
