The Taxidriver and the Snake

Written by Sr. Leonilda -- Salvador Province

Yesterday, when I was traveling from Salvador to Aracaju, I saw a very beautiful scene on the road. I was in the bus when it stopped on the road. The passenger was curious and asked, "Why did the bus stop on the road?" On the road, there was a worried taxidriver. He wanted to protect a beautiful snake. It was a big snake covering the entire road. The taxidriver stopped every car on the road to protect the snake and help it cross in safety. The passengers in the bus were very emotional and applauded the taxidriver.

I think it's very important to protect animals because they are creatures of God. We need to respect animals, always.

The Lord Is With Me Forever!

Written by Sr. Marivalda -- Salvador Province

The Lord is with me in joy,
That overflows my being!
He cultivates in me, new hope!

The Lord is with me in the hope
That animates my life!
So that I can find renewed enthusiasm!

The Lord is with me in faith,
It guides and reappoints
To live with freedom and lightness!

The Lord is with me in emptiness,
When it is impossible to believe
So I can recognize your presence in other beings!

The Lord is with me in silence
I am silent so the other can be.
He is for me and I am involved in His presence!

The Lord is with me in conflicts
Releasing me from my prejudices
So I see other sisters with renewed eyes!

The Lord is with me in suffering
as my heart matures
So that I am facing Him as I am,
Without fear and with confidence!

Our Sacred Story: My Experience at St. Bonaventure University

Written by Sr. Roseli -- Salvador Province (Presently studying in the United States)

When I was at St. Bonaventure University, I celebrated our Sacred Story. This was a unique experience. I felt many different emotions at the same time: Joy, Fear, Hope, Gratitude, Poverty, Patience, Faith and Love.

Sometimes I wanted to speak with our sisters, but I could not, because of the poverty of language. I felt joy in celebrating our Sacred Story together; living and feeling our internationality. I felt fear of not being able to learn our common language, because sometimes I didn't understand anything and I didn't have patience with myself. But all the time I felt that the sisters were very patient with me.

I felt gratitude for this rich opportunity of knowing more about the beginning of our Story and that Jesus showed me the way to Religious Life in this Congregation.

I felt love for our Congregation and our mission when I listened to the Sacred Stories in my heart. I felt faith that we'll grow in our mission, because all the Sisters of different countries have the same missionary vision. We want to improve our mission, looking to the testimony of the our co-founders.

When we had time to reflect about Mother Immaculata and how she understood her work in the Congregation's life, I remembered my story and some experiences that I lived during my novitiate. I think Mother Immaculata's illness and healing made her more sensitive with others people and it made her understand the mission of Jesus in her life.

We had the opportunity to talk about our missionary call and what helped us respond to the call. I talked with Sister Clare about my experience and she talked to me about hers.

I learned that we are different, but we have many things in common. Thank you, God! Thank you dears sisters for welcoming and helping me.

My Missionary Experience

Written by Sr. Rosivonete -- Salvador Province

In 1998, I lived in Barra City in Bahia. Barra City is larger than Itabuna City. I worked in "Mab's Community" -- a very poor location and the biggest in the city of Barra.

At Christmas time, the most important celebration of the year, after mass, I baptized a baby. The baby was one year and nine months old; she was dying. The christening was sadder than a wake. I felt so much compassion for the people, principally the baby's parents.

I cried during that reality. The worst part was that the baby was dying of malnutrition. After four days, the baby died.

Magnificat

Written by Sr. Edilene -- Salvador Province

My soul glorifies the Lord.
My heart rejoices in God my savior.
The Lord has made wonders in my life.
My heart sings praise to you.
Oh! Father you are holy.
You are my savior,
my rock, my support.
You make me free.
You look at me, a poor servant, with affection.
All people need to know and adore you.
Everyday I feel your strong presence in my heart.
You make me happy and comfortable.
Your power transformed my life.
Good things, I have achieved.
For me, you are my everything.
Your name is holy,
that's why I sing praise to you.
Your name is mercy and compassion.
Dear Father, you have carried me in your arms during difficult times.
You are just and delicate.
You raise up the poor.
You are my help. Without you, I am nothing.
You are the beginning and the end.
My soul glorifies you my God.
Your greatness is without end.
My spirit rejoices in you.
You are special for me, Oh God!
Thanks for your presence in my life.

A Most Surprising Experience

Written by Sr. Pureza -- Salvador Province

I have had many surprising experiences in my life, but the most surprising experience was the Intensive English Course.

The first reason was the interest of the Congregation and the province to help the sisters increase our internationality. English will help the Congregation to have better communication in the SMIC mission.

The second reason was that I received an invitation to participate in this course. I felt very happy!

The third reason was my growth. I feel that I have improved in different ways. Now, I learn with more facility. I understand faster than two years ago. I listen better now than last year.

To participate in the third stage of this course was very important for me. I consider it a special grace from God. I thank the congregation for this most surprising opportunity in my life. This helped to broaden my knowledge and accomplish God's mission for me.

A Frightening Experience

Written by Sr. Silvia -- Salvador Province

During the time I lived in the USA, I had some frightening experiences, but one of them became the most frightening experience I have ever had in my life.

It happened when I was learning how to drive. At that time, I felt very, very insecure. I felt more insecure than a child when she is taking her first steps.

One day, I felt a little more confident. So, I took the car and drove from Harrison to Paterson. On the way, I got lost. On that day, Route 21 seemed to be the busiest road in the world. Everyone was speeding past me and my heart started beating faster and faster. I got thirsty and very lonely. Then, I stopped near a school and tried to ask for directions, but I was nervous because my English was not so good. It was weaker than it is now.

Fortunately, I met a nice Polish woman who helped me by showing the way. I followed the directions she gave me and suddenly I saw a very familiar church. When I entered, one of our sisters was there. I breathed a sigh of relief. She nicely offered me some water and helped me to find my way home.

After that, everything was fine, but I will never forget my most frightening experience of my life, so far.

In 1961

Written by Sr. Nelísia -- Salvador Province

The most surprising event that happened in my life ocurred in 1961. My brother Celso was the oldest brother in my family. One day he went to Sao Paulo. Sadness lived in my heart. I was crying everyday because I had no communication with my brother. We had no phone or computer to communicate with my brother.

After three months on a beautiful night, without news of him, my brother knocked on the door. It was midnight. My parents, brothers and me woke up frightened. We had the biggest surprise of our lives. My brother had returned and my family rejoiced.

My Friend Mel

Written by Sr. Lúcia -- Salvador Province

In my childhood I met Mel at a party. Mel was three years older than me. We lived next to each other. My apartment was taller than Mel's apartment. We enjoyed riding bicycles, jumping rope, playing with dolls and reading amusing books. But, we liked to play in the elevator by going up and down, up and down. One day, we got stuck in the elevator for three hours. Our parents were worried. They scolded us. It was the funnest experience I had with my best friend Mel. Mel moved to Santa Catarina. I felt much sadness when she moved and I cried because we were good friends. Three years later, Mel died in an accident. I was sad to hear she died. I wept and prayed for her.

I Am Leonilda Cypriano

Written by Sr. Leonilda -- Salvador Province

I lived the best time of my life when I was young. I was younger than most of my friends and when I was 15 years old, I met the greatest and truest love; I met Jesus. Jesus helped me to choose the best way, a better way than I had before. After I met Jeesus, I discovered a new way to live, to walk, to pray. I was happier than I had been before, but I had many difficulties. My friends didn't understand me. I love my friends, but the love for Jesus is more important. Thank you my Jesus. I will love you always.

A Frightening Experience

Written by Sr. Pacis -- Salvador Province

I had been in the congregation two years when I went to Santa Eufrasia School in Barra City - Bahia. I traveled by bus until Santa Rita City and then I traveled by boat for twelve hours up the Sao Francisco River. The small boat was the biggest boat in Santa Rita. In the boat, there were four men and eight women; the river was full! It was the most beautiful river in the region. The boat didn't have a bathroom, so the boat stopped in a strange place with many trees and reeds. We got off,looking for a bathroom. But instead, we had to use the reeds.

Suddenly, I saw a big snake. I cried out, "Look out! Snake! Help!"

I ran back to the boat, scared and nervous, even though the snake had disappeared. We continued the trip to Barra City and I stayed in that community for three years. Today, I'm still afraid of snakes! I will never forget my most frightening experience.

Two Poems

Without My God, I Don't Know How to Live
Written by Sr. Nelísia -- Salvador Province

How nice to always be with You
We two are much better
How don't I know how to pray?
I keep in silence only.

I only want your Love
That gives brilliance to my life.
This is the way You look at me
Your manner gives me strength to live.


Opposition and Overcoming
Written by Sr. Nelísia -- Salvador Province

Humility overcomes pride.
Joy overcomes sadness.
Union overcomes fear.

Violence kills and Solidarity raises life.
Love opens ways through the desert.
Dreams come true.

Before dawn breaks, the darkness of the night
Brings a new day.
The earth makes the seeds spring up.
The presence of God overcomes lonliness.

The eagle's flight overcomes distances
And discovers new horizons.
The sailor overcomes the bravery of the sea.
The champion celebrates victory.
The faithful praise God.

The Presence of God

Written by Sr. Rosivonete -- Salvador Province

Thank you my great God
You are the love of my life
I am giving all my being.

Your face in the world
You are in the sun moon, stars, sky
In all creation.

You are in the poor
In the smile of dear children
In the people's fight.

Lord

Written by Sr. Lúcia -- Salvador Province

Thanks for your wonder!
You live in the heights of the sky
Prayer is your kindness
The sunrise is the morning
Everyday I think
Uncasp the flowers and grass
The roses are in bloom
The birds singing in the trees
The sun-brightened sky
The wind blowing the leaves
The Lord looks wonderful
The children playing peacefully.