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Two Sisters of Life made final vows on 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 the Sisters of Life Motherhouse, Annunciation in Suffern. Father Bernardino Maria Soukup, C.F.R., concelebrated. The Mass was private due to coronavirus restrictions.
The Sisters of Life take a special fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.
Sister Virginia Joy, S.V., 39, was born in Greenville, S.C. She has served as director of the Respect Life Office for the archdiocese since 2017. She has also served in the Visitation Mission in Manhattan, 2015-2017, where she accompanied women whose pregnancies created a crisis in their lives, seeking to bring them the spiritual, emotional and temporal support they needed to choose life for themselves and their children. She assisted the Sisters of Life vocations director, 2012-2015. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2009, she served as a residential counselor at St. Anne’s Maternity Home in Los Angeles and at Trinity Teen Solutions in Wyoming, and as director of college counseling at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Greenville, S.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Franciscan University of Steubenville. The daughter of Timothy J. and Mary E. Cotter of Greenville, S.C., she has two older siblings, Dave Cotter and Ellen Cotter.
Sister Naomi Maria Magnificat, S.V., 34, was born in England and since age 12 was raised in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland. Since 2016, she has served in the Holy Respite Mission for mothers in need and their infants, born and unborn, who are guests of the Sisters of Life at Sacred Heart of Jesus Convent, Manhattan. She also served in the Visitation Mission, Manhattan, 2015-2016, exploring life-giving options and providing resources and practical support to women experiencing unexpected pregnancies or adverse prenatal diagnoses. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2012, she worked in a children’s retail clothing store, and participated in the New Evangelization in her home country. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. The daughter of Helen Collins and the late Hugh Collins of Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland, her siblings are Lorraine Woulfe, Kevin Collins, Carmelite Sister Fiona Mary of Grace, Clare Hawes, Siobhan Collins, Mark Collins, Sinead O’Connor, Louise Noonan, Bernadette Collins, Katie Collins, Eleanor Collins and Kelly Collins.
On Aug. 4, five Sisters of Life professed first vows at Annunciation Motherhouse. Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Colacicco offered the Mass of Profession and delivered the homily. Because of coronavirus restrictions, the Mass was private.
Sister Beata Victoria, S.V., 33, of Belleville, Ontario, Canada, graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in communications and from the University of King’s College, Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a bachelor’s in journalism. She worked in the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Offi ce of Public Relations and Communications, interned with the Holy See Mission to the United Nations and served as a missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach at Dalhousie University, Halifax.
Sister Léonie Thérèse, S.V., 30, of Florrisant, Mo., earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. She taught first grade at SS. Joachim and Ann Catholic School, St. Charles.
Sister Anima Christi Rose, S.V., 29, of Lewisville, Texas, was raised in the Syro-Malabar rite and, with the permission of the Holy See, professed her religious vows in the Latin rite. She graduated from the University of North Texaswith a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing science and a master’s in speech-language pathology. She was a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) at Tulane University, New Orleans.
Sister Maria Augustine, S.V., 28, of Smithtown, Long Island, graduated from Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in childhood education and special education. She taught fifth grade at St. Patrick’s School, Smithtown, 2015-2016, and fourth grade at Holy Angels Regional School, Patchogue, 2016-2017.
Sister Chiara Madonna, S.V., 28, of St. Louis, graduated from Benedictine College with a bachelor’s degree in theology and a minor in business. She has served the Church in various missions: humanitarian relief, marriage and family, women’s health and religious freedom, in Geneva, Switzerland, Washington, D.C., and the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
