News and Info
Sister Helena Monahan has been named Chancellor of the University of the Incarnate Word.
The former Congregational Coordinator of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, will succeed Dr. Terry Dicianna on January 1, 2009. As Chancellor, Sister Helena’s responsibilities will include oversight on accreditation issues and new program development. She will also serve as UIW’s official representative at external presidential-level functions.
(Click here to read the full article.)
Installation Liturgy Broadcast To Mexico
In the historic life of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Sister Yolanda Tarango became the first native-born Texan to lead the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. But the Sisters crossed yet another milestone when the entire Installation Liturgy was broadcast to Mexico. (Click here to read the full article.)
Prayer Service for Temporary Professed Sisters
The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word gathered in prayer in early July, 2008 for a sending prayer blessing for three temporary professed sisters visiting from Mexico. (Click here to read the full article.)
2008 Congregational Jubilee
Giants of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word celebrated their service to God during a beautiful Congregational Jubilee Liturgy.
(Click here to read the full article.)
Visitation House Summer Sojourn
The annual gathering to help San Antonio’s homeless women and children is getting larger and so many people are doing more to help.
(Click here to read the full article.)
Chapel of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
January 6, 2008
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The Journey of the Sisters of Peru
In October, 2007 the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Chimbote, Peru celebrated their 25th anniversary of being with the poor and marginalized in the rural zone known as Cambio Puente. Here is a slide presentation they prepared which shows their journey. Click here to read the complete article.
If you would like to help the people of Peru, please feel free to contribute by clicking on the following link: Donate Online
Chapel of the Incarnate Word
Glorious Liturgy Honors Workers and Benefactors
Liturgical consultant Rolf Rohn says the Chapel of the Incarnate Word is truly one of the most beautiful church structures in North America.
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Rohn credits Reverend Mother Madeleine Chollet, the Co-Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, with having incredible vision to allow such a magnificent structure to be built for the glory and honor of God.
It is a miraculous feat to ponder: the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word opened the Chapel of the Incarnate Word in 1907, just 38 years after arriving in San Antonio from their native France virtually penniless and with little command of the English language.
On October 15, 2007, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word once again celebrated the splendor of the Chapel of the Incarnate Word; a symbol of their love for all people.
Hundreds of the area’s faithful filled the nave and choir loft of the newly renovated Chapel to join the Incarnate Word Sisters in thanking God for his gifts. Click here to read the complete article.
Please feel free to honor your loved ones with a memorial gift for the Chapel of the Incarnate Word by clicking on the following link: Donate Online
Sisters Save the Trees
In the middle of July 2007 the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word moved seven mature trees from the front of the Chapel of the Incarnate Word.
It would have been easier and less expensive to cut down the trees as part of the Chapel’s renovations process. However, the Sisters decided to make the effort because they believe all of God’s creation is sacred.
Prior to moving the trees, General Councilor Sister Walter Maher blessed the trees. Afterwards the Sisters and workers hugged the largest one; a 23-ton live oak.
A 90-ton crane was brought in to transplant the trees along Broadway Street adjacent to the Chapel of the Incarnate Word. We are happy to report that all of these beautiful giants are thriving in their new home.
CCVI International Novitiate Prepares to Welcome Three Novices
(L-R) S. Elisa Zavala Esparza, S. Fabiola Garcia Navarro, Ana María Serna Tavarez
On August 1, 2007, Ana Maria Serna Tavarez was received into the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Mexico City. That same day, S. Ana Maria joined second-year Novices, S. Fabiola Garcia Navarro and S. Elisa Zavala Esparza, as they began their journey to experience the International Novitiate in Lima, Peru.
In Peru, the Mexican Novices will join Peruvian second-year Novice, Hna. Katty Huanuco and Hna. Carmelita Monroy who will serve as the Director of Novices. The entire Novitiate Community will participate in the International Assembly to be held in Lima from August 3-5. Here, forty Sisters from the US, Mexico, and Peru will share a rich intercultural experience as our Congregation continues the preparation for the General Chapter of January 2008.
The Congregation’s first experiment with an International Novitiate was carefully evaluated and deemed to be of great benefit to the participants. Experimentation will continue in 2007-2008, and a proposal to make the International Novitiate an integral part of CCVI formation will be brought to the 2008 General Chapter.
We are joined together in prayer as we delve deeper into the mystery of our call to be an international Congregation.
El Noviciado Internacional CCVI se prepara para darle la bienvenida a tres novicias
Chapel of the Incarnate Word
Centennial Celebration May 27, 2007
In May 1907, just 38 years after arriving in San Antonio, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, opened what is today one of the world’s most beautiful church structures.
Under the leadership of Reverend Mother Madeleine Chollet, the Congregation’s first General Superior, the Sisters began to build the Chapel of the Incarnate Word. The first Liturgy in the Chapel was celebrated in May 1907; eleven months after the laying of the Chapel’s first granite cornerstone.
In May 2007, the Sisters and the people of San Antonio once again filled the Chapel of the Incarnate Word to celebrate its centennial. The sounds of heralded trumpeters from the San Antonio Symphony and angelic voices from the Incarnate Word High School Madrigals echoed off the new Carrara marble floors in the cathedral-like Chapel.
The new and cushioned choir stalls and pews filled quickly. The detailed woodwork was crafted by Amish and Mennonite workers of New Holland Furniture in Pennsylvania. The choir stalls are replicas of the century-old choir stalls. The antiphonal seating is patterned after the Monastery of the Incarnate Word in Lyons, France.
Also, five new bas relief hand-made carvings which show the history, mission and future of the Congregation adorn the niches in the Chapel’s sanctuary. However, it is the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is the central focus in the sanctuary and highlights the Incarnate Word. The carvings, gilded in 24-carat gold, depict the Congregation in the past, the present and the future.
Dominican Friars, Father Wayne Cavalier and Father Phillip Lamberty concelebrated the Liturgy. General Councilor Sister Walter Maher, gave the reflection and focused on the Word of God, the importance of compassion and self-discipline, and on the vision of Reverend Mother Madeleine to lead the Congregation and build the Chapel. “We have a real history of taking risks,” said Sister Walter. “And, yet, God always provides.”
After Mass the Congregation held a centennial celebration reception which included
cakes with edible images of the beautiful Chapel and 200 Amor Meus cookies donated by Central Market. Bakers meticulously decorated each cookie with the Congregational seal that contained the crown of thorns and the Latin 
words, “Amor Meus.”
Two weeks before the Centennial Liturgy, Sister Walter and workers climbed the scaffolding erected around the Chapel’s steeple. Sister Walter placed the last of the four trumpets into an angel’s hand and mouth.
The entire renovation project, which includes painting the ceiling, will be completed in October.
First Lady Honors
Incarnate Word Sister
On Tuesday, October 31, 2006, a beautiful ceremony unveiling a bronze bust of our Sister Maria Guadalupe Cerisola Salcido was celebrated in Mexico City at the Offices of the Secretary of Health. The actual unveiling was completed by Mrs. Martha Sahagun de Fox, the wife of Mexico President Vicente Fox. Mrs. Fox was accompanied by Srs. Helena Monahan and Dolores Maria Di Costanzo, official representatives of the Congregation. Many Sisters from the Provincial House in Mexico, people from other ministries in the city, as well as the entire community of Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia were present for this historical event.
In 1983 commemorative statues of eighteen renowned physicians who have made contributions to health care in Mexico were unveiled at the offices of the Secretary of Health. Subsequently in 2006, primarily due to the efforts of Mrs. Fox and Sister Maria Suarez, CCVI, Director of Nursing at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, and the Mexican Secretary of Health, a decision was made to honor nurses in the same manner. The first nurse to be so honored was Graciela Arroyo de Cordero. Sr. Cerisola was the second woman and the first member of a religious congregation to be so honored. Sister was recognized as a pioneer in health care in Mexico. She was lovingly remembered for her untiring commitment to her profession and to serving the needs of the people of Mexico, especially the very poor, with compassion and dignity.
The entire Congregation rejoices that one of our own Sisters has been so honored by her profession and her country. The recognition is a testimony to the enduring mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word wherever we are privileged to serve.