Giving
Heritage and Call
On November 16, 1872, a middle-aged woman and her four companions landed on the St. Louis riverfront with the intention of nursing the poor and the sick—of being the face of Jesus to those who were “the least of my sisters and brothers.”
They themselves were poor—after their arduous trip from Germany they had only five dollars among them! But they had an unshaken and unshakable faith in the call they heard from God.
One hundred forty years later, the Franciscan Sisters of Mary and SSM Health Care honor this courageous woman, Mother Odilia Berger, in whose footsteps they have followed, striving always to be the presence of the loving, serving, compassionate, healing Jesus.
As we celebrate this holiday season, let us remember all we have to be thankful for, and in the midst of all the holiday bustle, let’s find a quiet time each day to listen to the still, small voice within us that whispers to us God’s unique invitation—and God’s infinite love.
Posted: 11/16/2012