Fountain of Joy: Encountering the Pro Ecclesia Sancta Sisters

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness is fleeting. Joy is everlasting. Two Catholic nuns, Sr. Lynn, and Sr. Eileen of the Pro Ecclesia Sancta ecclesial family have been invited to Sioux Falls, S.D., from Lima, Peru to bring joy. Most of the Pro Ecclesia Sancta ecclesial family resides in Peru. They also serve in Spain, Rome, Ecuador, Uruguay, Minnesota, California, and now Sioux Falls, S.D. The sisters were invited with a special invitation from Bishop Donald E. DeGrood, ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Jesuit priest, Father Pablo Menor, was sent from Spain on a life mission to serve the people of Lima, Peru. At age 82, in 1992, prior to his death, he founded Pro Ecclesia Sancta. Translated from Latin, Pro Ecclesia Sancta means ‘For the Holy Church.’ “Our charism is to live and promote the vocation to holiness,” says Sr. Eileen.

Sr. Lynn and Sr. Eileen want to be a part of our lives. They lead by example in teaching how life is not made for mediocrity. On July 31, 2021, the Feast Day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, two sisters providentially arrived to dedicate themselves to the youth. In August of the same year, the sisters began serving and working with local high school and college campus ministers to foster and host retreats, luncheons, worship, fellowship, service projects, adoration, engagement at sporting events, and invitations to pray with Jesus in the Eucharist. Sr. Eileen reflects, “We have felt very blessed to be a part of the school system and help wherever we are able to serve best.” The enemy, the devil, attacks the youth and our families with distraction. “They can’t pray,” admits Sr. Eileen. “And you can’t pray because there are so many things going on.” The result is a superficial life. Sr. Lynn replies, “the devil wants to make people think that you have to be a certain way or reach a certain goal.” That is not true. Sr. Lynn continues, “People are not sure of their identity in Christ.”  Wrestling with self-worth is a constant struggle. Comparison is defeating. The notion of “whatever you want” is not real happiness. “If you want to find real happiness, you need to go to the fountain of that,” confesses Sr. Eileen. “It’s God.”

Humans are a relational creation designed with a need to be with other people. “We all have the desire because we are all called to greatness and called to love,” says Sr. Eileen. “In college, people either stray away from the faith or grow closer to Christ,” shares Sr. Lynn. “I always knew God was real.” But “I didn’t learn how to pray or how to talk to the Lord until college.” Sr. Eileen adds, “Never stop searching. Even if you don’t believe. If you give up, you close the door” to real love.

Our God given gifts bring joy to our colleges, careers, cities, and countries. Our gifts give us grace in our discipline and discipline is freedom.

We are flawed human beings who need support on our journey to heaven. Sr. Lynn exudes how “faithful friends and relationships will lead you closer to the Lord” and emphasizes that “the Lord always wants to bring you joy.”