Our Community
We continue our series of biographies on Sisters throughout the world and their response to answer the call to the Incarnate Word.
My Vocational Story -- Sister Bertha Flores, CCVI
During my religious life, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of environments that have enriched and marked my life. The mission of Santiago Tuxtla, Veracruz, the mission of Mongu in Zambia and my present work with the Hispanic immigrants in the State of Missouri have penetrated deeply inside me. Always, as in these work projects, I have felt solidarity with the poor is a privilege and an opportunity.
After I attended a retreat for Youth, I knew that the Lord was calling me to do something different. At that time I was 18 years old and a University student. I felt the joy of God’s presence in my heart, and suddenly everything seemed marvelous, full of joy and light. I began to work with a group that gave talks at youth Retreats; little by little Jesus called me to give more of myself; internally I knew that I would give Him my whole life.
However, I needed more time with Jesus, to get to know Him better; to be with Him so that in turn I could give Him to others. That was how my call to religious life entered my heart.
I visited four different Religious Congregations. Following the intuition of my heart I decided to enter the Congregation I knew best: The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. What attracted me most was their simplicity, joy and openness.
In 1967, there were fewer changes than presently, but I was delighted by the spirit of openness, simplicity and joy that I perceived in the Novitiate. At the age of 20 years I entered that congregation.
On finishing my religious formation, I studied Clinical Psychology at the National University of Mexico for a period of (five) years which flew by. This was a grace from God and something for which I will always be grateful to the Sisters for giving me this opportunity, which opened the doors of my heart and mind.
In 1977, the Lord called me in a gentle but firm manner to minister among the poor field-workers of Tres Zapotes, Veracruz. For 13 years I worked in this area, receiving more from this community than I gave. I learned to teach adults to read and write; to improve their nutrition with soy beans; to form leaders in the Christian communities in the (sixty-nine) public lands of the village where we were in the ministry of evangelization. These were years that left a deep spiritual mark on my life; years full of joy, adventures without end and living a community life full of meaning in the midst of economical lack and much work! I will never forget the months of rain that destroyed roads. Often we had to visit the communities on horseback, going up and down mountains and getting the car as close as we could. On occasion we borrowed a couple of oxen to pull the car out of the mud and we, laughing at everything, were covered with mud up to our knees. Everything was a motive to be happy and to laugh about, even though we arrived at our destination a few hours late. The field workers used to tell us that we had a good little car but it needed a good chauffer!
During my religious life, I have had an opportunity to work in different settings, all of which have enriched and marked my life. I worked at the Mission of Santiago Tuxtla, the Mission of Zambia, and at the present time, am working among immigrants in Missouri, USA. These experiences have made a deep impression on my inner self. In each of these projects, I have been in solidarity with the poor-a privilege and a great opportunity.
In Mongu, Zambia, I worked with the many babies, orphaned children and youth, victims of AIDS. I developed a program to give psychological/social attention to children between the ages of 8 and 14 years; to youth between the ages of 15 and 22 and their adoptive parents. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to develop a program for children under seven years of age, even though there was that need. The Mongu community left a deep mark on me. The retired teachers with whom I worked had a tremendous richness acquired from life experience. These were fantastic women, full of the desire to work and with a commitment to give of themselves with passion to their people. Together with them and a group of younger persons, we worked with 30 groups a month! We worked so hard and had so few resources! Now, as I look back, I am amazed at everything we were able to accomplish. I see the Saturday groups in the different neighborhoods. On Saturdays we worked with about 750 children divided into groups of 30. They were attended by youth volunteers who played volley-ball with the children for two hours. We served breakfast which they ate with such great appetite and satisfaction that, as I recall it now, I am deeply moved. The children, with joy on their faces, waited with much anticipation for the Saturday programs. A few championships were organized in the four areas.
In my present work with Hispanics, documented and non-documented, in Jefferson City, Missouri, and California, I experience the joy of being with them in times of great need and in sickness. The medical group in the city receives and attends them with care and generosity. The majority of persons, recognizing that Hispanics are good workers, respect them. The immigrant Catholic community is full of life. Almost half of the participants are under six years of age. During the Masses, there is a special area for crying, shouting, running, etc. The adults try to ignore all of this and concentrate on the Eucharist, but sometimes we are less successful. The majority of adults actively participate in the preparation for the Mass and take part in it.
During my religious life, I have also worked in schools and in hospitals where I have seen the face of Jesus in the youth, in the sick and in the healthy workers.
My life as a consecrated woman has been full of growth and service opportunities. I can truly say that I have received 100% in everything.