MERIDEN, CT (02-12-2024) – Danah Agustin, daughter of Lorenza and Danilo Agustin of Vancouver, BC, entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist on Sunday, February 11, the traditional day commemorating Our Lady of Lourdes. On this day in 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared for the first of 18 times to a 14-year old French girl, Bernadette Soubirous.
In the private ceremony, Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, received Danah’s request for novitiate, responding with a strong affirmation of Danah’s readiness for this next step in religious formation. Following Mother Miriam’s blessing of the habit, veil and cincture, Danah, accompanied by Mother Barbara Johnson, FSE, Vicar General, was clothed in the garments that mark her as a Franciscan Sister. Upon Danah’s return to the chapel, Mother Miriam presented her with her religious name, Sister Bernadette. She explained that there were many choices of names that would be fitting for Danah, but “Bernadette” seemed to capture the spirit of a faith-filled young woman who knew a major change in her life after encountering the Blessed Virgin in her appearances at Lourdes. The story of Bernadette is well-known in the Catholic Church, as she was the occasion for the Blessed Virgin to affirm the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. When Bernadette asked the woman in the vision what her name was, she replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette continued to be faithful to the messages that she received from the Blessed Virgin. The Church has known immense grace from the events at Lourdes and Bernadette was the instrument God chose to bring this about for the healing of the world.
The Church also prays for those who are ill on this day designated as World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Mother Miriam noted that St. Bernadette will help guide Sister Bernadette in whatever future ministry she is involved in, which may be some form of health care. Sister Bernadette worked with Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care the past year as office manager. Prior to entering religious life she was an administrative assistant at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Vancouver.
Sister Bernadette was born in Manilla, Philippines. Her family moved to Vancouver when she was five years old. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2022 from University of British Columbia with a major in sociology and a minor in family studies. Sister Bernadette enjoys baking and cooking. Her favorite athletic activity is figure skating.
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