Reflections for Reception into the Novitiate

Welcome Sister Stephanie Rivas!

Note: The following reflection was written by General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski for the entrance into the Novitiate by Sister Stephanie Rivas, which took place on August 18, 2024.

After my first encounter with the reading that Stephanie chose for this rite of entrance into the novitiate, I said to myself: Hmmm, there is quite a bit of groaning going on in this reading. 

All creation is groaning … we also groan within ourselves … even the Spirit is groaning, although the Spirit’s groanings are inexpressible groanings.

Groaning, it seems to me, is a very strong word. One source I read said it means an expression of pain that goes beyond mere physical pain.

What was the letter writer Paul thinking (Romans 8: 18-27)? And what was Stephanie thinking by choosing this reading to mark the beginning of her canonical novitiate?

I actually reached out to Stephanie and asked her that question, but let’s talk about Paul first.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, the seat of the empire. These Christians, I imagine, were enduring their share of sufferings both from the Romans and from the Jews who lived in Rome. Paul is begging them to hold fast to their faith. He tells them the sufferings of this time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.

In other words, the promises of Jesus are worth the pain. When Paul references the groaning of creation, he likens those groans to labor pains. Have not our own mothers told us that seeing us come forth from their wombs was worth all the pain?

Now, this is not to intimate in any way, Stephanie, that your novitiate is going to be painful. But I would like you to consider that this novitiate experience is an opportunity to give birth, to bring forth new life both in yourself and in this community of Providence. These next two years (both your canonical year, and your mission novice year) can be a beautiful time of generativity for you and for us because of your presence. I do suspect, however, that there will be a few groans, growing pain groans.

In describing what attracted her to this reading, Stephanie actually talked about another “g” word — glory. For Stephanie, glory represents growth, perspective, and transformation — it sounds a little like bringing forth new life.

She explained that throughout her postulancy she had to step outside her comfort zone in order to grow. She had to engage in conversations and open up dialogue with others by sharing how she interpreted information. New ways of being and the establishment of new habits all provided her with a different perspective, and, in Stephanie’s estimation, that is what leads to transformation. She looks forward to what will open within her during the coming novitiate year if she waits with patient endurance. 

So, we challenge you, Stephanie, to this transformation, and we suggest you ask yourself: “Who is God inviting you to become?”

Beginning today, you will be called Sister Stephanie. What does sisterhood look like for you? What is membership in a woman’s religious community inviting you to become?  

Recently I came upon this powerful challenge from Theologian and Civil Rights Activist Howard Thurman that speaks to this question and to Stephanie’s own longing for transformation. He writes:

To find the genuine, I know that I need to do the soul work, the inner work — to stay in the fray, particularly to be open to opportunities to bring my implicit biases, covert stereotypes, and unexamined prejudices into consciousness. This space of conversion of heart can open me to deepening relationships.

And what is the quote that Stephanie chose for the cover of today’s program?

Good actions come from good hearts.

This inner work is certainly a focus of this coming canonical year as prescribed by our Constitutions:

a time to internalize Gospel values, to take an extended time for prayer and spiritual direction, to give service, and to receive instruction in the religious life, scripture, theology, and the history and traditions of our Congregation.

We know you as a seeker, Stephanie, someone who spent significant time before you entered our postulancy in serious discernment. Why? As you wrote in 2020, “Deep down, a part of me knew I was not on the right path.” You are not new to inner work or prayer, Stephanie, and you credit spiritual direction with helping “get you back on the right track of finding my true vocation.”

We are grateful that your discernment led you to us. During an interview after Stephanie entered our postulancy last year, she explained her reasons for joining us (and I quote):

“The mission of the Sisters of Providence is to reach out to others who are not always included and to help those who face injustice by accompanying them and serving them in a broad range of ministry areas. This is something I have passion for and feel that I have done already in ministry and in my prior work experience.“

You have worked in a variety of areas, Stephanie, in education and special education — working with adults, children and even babies; in higher education in the enrollment process; as well as accompanying others on their spiritual journey.

It seems your inner work has sought as its outcome the service of others, a dedication to the common good.

Having just come from a week of Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR) meetings with its theme: “Our time is holy: Who then shall we be?” I was taken with the following quote from Jesuit James Martin that was offered by one of our speakers. It is a question  all of us in this church might be challenged to answer today:

“Can you surrender to the future God has in store for you?“

I would also like to return to a challenge that writer and professor of cosmology Brian Swimme presented to women religious during last year’s LCWR assembly. Swimme spoke of the star that exploded and brought forth a whole universe. That explosion, he said, was a primary revelation of love at the cosmological level…a divine giveaway…that holds nothing back.

He urged women religious to continue to be like that star whose act of generosity in giving itself away does, in fact, birth a new universe, a new reality.

Stephanie, we challenge you to continue your inner work for the sake of the mission, to contribute to the divine giveaway that will bring new life to this world. Keep asking yourself: What is God asking me to birth? And do not be afraid to ask: What holds me back?

As you yourself said in your comments about this reading, your own experiences of suffering will make you more attune to the suffering of others, of the world. I believe it is your desire that your own sufferings and stresses not be a limitation or a barrier in being for others.

The world needs you for this, Stephanie. Tis Providence Community needs you for this: to be the face of Providence, God’s loving care, and the hope and healing promised by Jesus the Christ for all you will meet in the days and years ahead.

We, your sisters and other members of this Providence Community, promise to stand by your side in the days ahead. May the witness of our lives and our prayer for you provide the support and love you need to become your fullest self.

So, one last quote and a question of sorts — from Saint Mother Theodore, posed to a budding novice of her own time: 

“If … you are quite determined to belong entirely to God, to work with all your strength … I say to you with assurance, Come.”

Stephanie, I invite you to come now and begin the journey as a canonical novice of the Sisters of Providence.

Request to Enter the Novitiate

     Sister Dawn: Stephanie, what do you ask?

     Stephanie: Grateful for the love and support I have received as I’ve journeyed on my path of Providence, I ask to continue the journey into my fullest self with you, my Sisters and Associates, as my guides, companions, and friends.  Together, may we remain faithful to the unfolding path of Providence in our lives.

Blessing and Presentation of the Novice Cross                                                      Sister Dawn Tomaszewski

God of Providence, I (we) ask you to bless this cross as a sign of your abundant love, mercy and justice.  Make holy the woman who will wear it.  Gift her with openness to the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit.

                                            (Sprinkle)

Stephanie, as you wear this cross, may you be reminded of God’s steadfast love for you and the choice you are making today to enter more fully into the life and mission of the Sisters of Providence.

                                       (Put on the cross)

Amen

Congregation Response

We rejoice in the God of Providence who has called and loved you from before you were born.  We rejoice in Jesus the Christ who has walked with you and whose word you have sought to follow in your life.  We rejoice in the Holy Spirit who has gifted you with the fire of love to share with all.  And we commit ourselves to walk with you on this sacred journey, confident that Providence guides our every step.