Sisters in Russia

By Emily

I know that Chris has mentioned the sisters of Vladivostok countless times, but they really can’t be spoken about enough. Vladivostok hosts Sr. Maria Stella and Sr. Catherine Marie, two of the first members of the Servants of Jesus the Lord (for non-Catholics reading, that’s the name of a community of Catholic nuns), and they are absolutely incredible.

Sister Stella (left) and Sister Catherine (right)
at the river on the last day of 

They were there when we walked off the plane in Vladivostok; when we left at five this morning, they were awake to eat one last breakfast with us and to help us pack the van to overflowing with our bags. Hugs were passed around while we held back tears, and I couldn’t get over how much these wonderful women had done for us in three short weeks. (To be honest, even typing this makes me tear up.)

Sisters are intended to provide a sort of spiritual motherhood for the people of the Church. This was something I’d never previously understood, not having had more than a few minutes’ conversation with a sister. But when we were far from home, they did look after us as if they had been asked by our own mothers to care for us while we were, quite literally, on the opposite side of the world. Sister Catherine made sure Amanda and I ate when we got sick, and each time I was afraid in Lesozavodsk, Sister Stella was present to reassure me with her quiet strength. In meeting them, we were given a powerful view of the family God has provided for us—quite simply, they showed us love without making us feel that it had to be earned, and they poured every drop they could as a healing balm over our souls. It’s easy to sit in Mass and hear abstractly that we’re all family through Christ, but the concreteness of their love and affection for us drove the nebulous idea into reality.

I am so, SO thankful for having had the opportunity to go to Russia. Every experience in this country has been amazing and humbling, but utmost among them has been being allowed a glance into the lives and hearts of two very holy women. They have given up so much to serve in Russia, and their willingness to go where love is needed inspires me to travel past my own desires and take a hard look at what God is asking me (and all of us!) to do with my life.