A great grace for me was to spend five months at the Trinita dei Monti in Rome as sacristan for Mater. Each morning I carefully cleaned and polished the corridor Chapel. Later in the morning, visitors from all over the world would arrive to pray before Mater. For Sacred Heart alumni, visiting Rome meant a visit to Mater at the old convent at the top of the Spanish steps. My early hour of cleaning was spent in silent solitude with Mater. I would sometimes talk with her; she listened, but seldom spoke to me. When she did, it was always to tell me: “Do whatsoever Jesus tells you.” Those months with Mater were a grace that taught me much about interior spirit; they marked my life as well as giving me the grace of a missionary vocation.
Helen Rosenthal, RSCJ
