One of the highlights of Monastic Profession as part of the Erie Benedictine Community is the receiving of our “title.” On the evening before my profession 50 years ago, the Community and I waited in anticipation for this big moment. It was my turn to be given a title by Sister Mary Margaret Kraus, prioress at that time. My title has always been special to me: “Sister Theresa of the Humanity of Christ.” While Jesus walked the earth in the flesh, he brought comfort and healing to those in need. I hope that through my teaching ministry, my love for the missions and, as I strive to be Christ’s presence in this hurting world, I am doing the same.

Maybe that is why my favorite quote is really the prayer of St. Theresa of Avila:

Christ has no body on earth but yours;
No hands but yours; no feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which His love
Looks out to the world:
Yours are the feet with which He goes about doing good;
Yours are the hands with which He blesses people now.

This prayer sums up the whole Christian message of love and service for me. I am called to use the gifts and talents bestowed upon me to enable the God of Life to be present to all with whom I live and work. It is only through my prayers and actions, and by all of us working together, that the Humanity of Christ is made manifest in this hurting world.

This jubilee means a lot to me. A celebration such as this gives me the opportunity to express gratefulness to all the people in my life —my family, my community, and my friends—who brought me to this time in my life. I can’t think of a better way to express my love and appreciation than in the form of a jubilee celebration.