During this Holy Year of hope, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity celebrated the Rite of Initiation into the Religious Life on June 8, 2025 welcoming Novice Sister Rose (Cyan) Reed into our Community’s Novitiate. Sister Rose is from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Holy Rosary Parish, Houston, Texas. She begins a two-year experience allowing for growth in her personal relationship with Christ under the title of Vessel of His Mercy. In addition, she’ll become acquainted with the essential aspects of her call to religious life under the leadership of Novice Directress, Sister Kathleen Murphy. Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie addressed the new Novice with these words.
Sister Rose, welcome as a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. The name you have been given has significance for you because of your admiration for Saint Rose of Lima, whose feast day is celebrated August 23rd. Your Patron Saint was born in Lima Peru to Spanish colonists and named Isabel Flores de Olivia. She was exceptionally beautiful. Her beauty was so great that she was nicknamed “Rose”. At her Confirmation in 1597 she officially took the name, Rose. Rose lived a simple, austere and penitential life of consecration to God marked by mystical prayer and service to the poor. Saint Rose humbled herself in a way that you wish to emulate in your life. Saint Rose is the patroness of embroiderers, gardeners, florists, those who suffer ridicule for their piety and people who suffer family problems. (Researched information at: https://www.catholic.org >saints)
The title you chose is Vessel of His Mercy. In your words, “A vessel is something that, by its nature, is empty and sits waiting to be filled. All people desire God’s love, but when one is filled with negativity, it takes something stronger than the self to empty it out. It takes God’s hand to set one right and an openness to receive and to be filled with God’s loving mercy. For me, it means that all preconceived ideas and my whole life must be left behind for something better. I cannot force myself into the type of Sister I want to be. I can only allow myself to be guided by the Holy Spirit.”
In your letter dated March 12, 2025, you expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to become a Postulant in this Community of Sisters. During your time as a Postulant you were able to pray and deepen your relationship with Jesus. In humility, you asked for permission to continue to follow your vocational journey with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
Sister Rose, you have an open mind and an open heart to continue in Formation as a Novice. You believe that God has called you to the Consecrated Life. During the time of Novitiate, active ministry is put aside. You will continue to learn the essential elements of the Consecrated Life. Your day will focus on prayer, deepening your relationship with Jesus, the study of Franciscan Spirituality and Community Life. You will learn responsibility and the application to our life as a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity.
Sister Rose, please be assured of the prayers and support of all your Sisters. Please listen carefully to the words we will pray for you after the Our Father. We walk this journey of Formation with you. Always remember that God is with us every step of the way, as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. May Saint Rose of Lima be your intercessor and inspiration for your life of Consecration to Our Lord. God bless you.
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