The Legacy Continues

 

The legacy of Blessed John Martin Moye continues as the wheel of life continues to turn. This beautiful picture was taken two weeks ago in Mary's garden at our Provincial House in Melbourne, Ky. Sr. Mary Echo Perry C.D.P. and I were hanging out with Sr. Mary Mansueta Martineau C.D.P. At 101, Sr Mansueta still attends most community activities, reads and listens to daily news and faithfully watches the Reds whenever they play. Mansueta's ready smiles, attentive ears and pleasant aura distinguishes her as an amazing woman of Providence.  

 Sr. Echo professed her first vows in August 2015, making her the newest member of the Province. Hopefully I will be next in line in the nearest future. As the newest and second youngest members of the Province, we are grateful for the opportunity to know and experience our Jewel of inestimable value Sr. Mansueta, who happens to be our oldest living C.D.P. sister.

In Nigeria where I come from, elders are respected and held in high esteem. Like the book of Proverbs, we, the Ibos. believe that "Gray hair is a crown of glory" (16:32) especially for people like Sr. Mansueta who have made the Lord their heritage. Elders are respected for their roles in teaching, guiding and impacting good examples on the young. Most importantly, the wisdom of elders makes the geniuses in their particular callings.  

With over 70 years of experience of living community and being in active ministry, I could become a happy, holy, prayerful C.D.P even if I learn by just carefully obeserving how Sr. Mansueta lives out our C.D.P. charism. She once told me that everything is possible for those who are open to life, to God and to new beginnings. She definitely seems to live what she believes because whenever I pass her room at Holy family Sr. Manueta is doing something productive which continues to enhance her as person and continues to help her be what God want her to be. She also told me that when we truly trust God like our beloved founder Blessed John Martin, we will find it easier to pray, trust and abandon ourselves and everything about us to God.

I like hanging out with Sr. Mansueta because she inspires me/us and she is teaching us all that she knows. We are blessed to have her and because of her wisdom, we will see  and go far because according to an Ibo proverb, "What an old woman sees sitting down, a young woman cannot see standing up"