Sr. Clem Celebrates 75 Years of Consecrated Life

It's hard to believe but it's true! On Saturday, May 24th at our parish of St. Stanislaus in Lansdale, PA., Sister Clemencia of the Child Jesus (better known to us all as Sister Clem) renewed her vows as a Religious of the Assumption in the presence of her community of Sisters and of priests and friends who have known and loved her over the years.

A Filipina by birth, Sister Clem entered the Assumption in 1929 at the age of 20. She then left the Philippines on a three month sea voyage for the Motherhouse (then in Belgium) and made her First Vows there in 1933. While in Europe she served in Assumption communities in Belgium and Spain. Arriving in the U.S. in 1946, she spent many years in Miami and Philadelphia before finally coming to Lansdale in 1980 where she has been ever since. Making vestments, baptismal robes, and knitting scarves when her eyesight weakened, Sister Clem was continually at the service of all. She remains sacristan of the community chapel and prepares floral arrangements with exquisite grace.

In his homily at the Jubilee Mass, St. Stans pastor, Msgr. Joseph W. Murray, thanked Sister for her example of faith, of joy and of devotedness to young and old. Indeed, Sister Clem's radiance was witnessed to by the many generations of friends who came from far and near to be with her on that happy day. After renewing her vows with her provincial, Sister Mary Ann beside her, she then exchanged the Kiss of Peace with her Sisters. After receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion, she went to stand in front of the Blessed Mother's altar and sang with the congregation of 300 persons the Magnificat Mary's Hymn of Joy.

A festive reception awaited everyone after the Mass all prepared by our lay associates of Lansdale. The day was gorgeous and the streams of friends walking and driving down the street to the convent made a happy procession. Seated in a chair at the driveway, Sister Clem welcomed and thanked all her well-wishers in what seemed to be an endless line.

Sister Clem's love of God, of Mary and of her Congregation was so evident! Ninety nine years old and she still thanks God for her vocation and lives each day with a joyful expectation of the good things to come from her Spouse and Lord.

If you would like to send Sr. Clem a note on the occasion of her 75th Jubilee, please go to [email protected]

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Sister Maria Clemencia of the Child Jesus, R.A.

Born September 17, 1908 in Iloilo, Philippines

Began the Postulancy May 24, 1929 in Iloilo, Philippines

Entered the Novitiate July 2, 1931 in Val Notre Dame, Belgium

First Profession of Vows July 2, 1933 in Val Notre Dame, Belgium

Final Profession of Vows July 29, 1936 in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Mystery: Child Jesus

Word: "Monstra Te esse Matrem"

Apostolic Assignments:

Belgium 1932

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain 1936-1940

Madrid, Spain 1940-1946

Miami, Florida 1946-1955

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1955-1962

Miami, Florida 1962-1977

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1977-1980

Lansdale, Pennsylvania 1980 to the present