MERIDEN, CT (10-07-2023) – On the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist gathered in the Chapel of St. John for a private ceremony of reception into novitiate of Marie Tessier. During the past two years as a pre-postulant and a postulant, Marie has lived with the Community in the initial formation house in Meriden.

Marie read her letter of request to enter novitiate to which Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General, responded with a joyful “Yes” and reflected on the beauty and humble spirit of Marie’s request to be formed toward a spousal relationship with Christ within Community. After blessing the habit, veil and cincture, Mother Miriam presented them to Mother Barbara Johnson, Vicar General, to assist in clothing Marie. Upon re-entering the chapel, dressed in the new habit, Marie shared what the postulant medal meant to her during the past year. She experienced wearing the medal as a connection with the heritage of the Community and in particular, with Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress. Marie expressed her desire to be a part of carrying forth the Community’s Franciscan, Eucharistic heritage into the future.

Mother Miriam then presented Marie with her new religious name, Sister Marie Emmanuel. “Emmanuel” meaning “God with us” will be a reminder to the new Sister of God’s presence with her and as a religious, of her vocation to be a God-presence to others.

Sister Marie Emmanuel received blessings from Mother Miriam, Mother Barbara and Mother Shaun, after which the FSE Community sang the Blessing of St. Francis for her.

Sister Marie Emmanuel is the oldest of nine children of Carole and Robert Tessier of Warrenton, Virginia. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from George Mason University with a major in biology and a minor in music. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Manassas, Virginia. Since moving to Connecticut, Marie was employed as a veterinary technician at Becket & Associates Veterinary Services in Glastonbury, working with large and small animals in a variety of tasks at the work site and on farm calls in the neighboring area.

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