REDEMPTORISTINE NUNS of NEW YORK, Inc.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, September 15, 1755, Mother Maria Celeste whispered, “It is finished.” She had taken her last breath at the end of the reading of St. John’s Passion. 
How apropos to die on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross for one who lived her life so closely to her Beloved, and Him crucified. 
Celeste Death mask circa 1920 
The next day, with all the bells ringing, her body was taken into the church for public viewing.  People came from all over to see the holy woman who had humbly lived the merciful love of the Redeemer.  When people had asked Celeste about Jesus, she would reply what her Beloved had told her, “Tell them I am Pure Love.”  The townsfolk called her a saint.    
What do you think they will say about you when you die? It’s hard to say; we are uncomfortable holding up a mirror to our lives, afraid we will be found wanting.  But saints aren’t holier than thou.  They are women and men who see what is happening in our world and respond, to the best of their ability, as God does: with love and mercy.   There is always hope we can transform our being to be more, do more, pray more for our sorrowing wounded earth and all that dwell therein.
In her lifetime, Maria Celeste enjoyed extraordinary strength in following her conscience in union with her Beloved Redeemer.  Each of us is called to a Christ-centered life. In living this way, Christ is alive in us, working in us and through us, today.    And so, we do as Blessed Celeste did: we fix our gaze on the Redeemer, following joyfully as a Viva Memoria, living witnesses to God’s abundant love and mercy for the salvation of the world.
 

"Life for me is Christ." Phil1:21

Redemptoristine Nuns are a worldwide monastic contemplative Order who strive to be a living memorial, an active participant of Jesus' life in today’s Church for the salvation of the world.  The Sisters celebrate this life of prayer, praise and intercession in the name of all, and in support of the missionary activity of the Redemptorist priests and brothers.