Carmen entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word on November 8, 2020, and joined the Emmaus Community in San Antonio, Texas. In her own words, she tells her story: 

“I was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico and raised in Laredo, Texas. I am the oldest of five, with three sisters and one brother. I graduated from Texas A&M International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in 2014. I was involved with Youth Ministry, Confirmation classes and other ministries at St. Peter the Apostle parish. As a young adult and coordinator, many persons influenced me in my call to religious life.

At a Cursillo retreat, I realized that the thought of religious life was not just a curiosity. However, I put the idea of religious life aside for several years. In my ministry with the youth, I encouraged them to participate in Vocation Days. Thoughts of religious life began remerging. I contacted a few Religious Congregations and received an email from a Vocation office about a retreat called Profundo Encuentro. I met Sister Marichui Bringas and Sisters from different

Congregations. I kept in contact with Sr. Marichui and attended a ‘Come and See’ on May 2019.

By meeting Sisters, learning about the history of religious life and their ministries, I felt it was time for me to take that first step. I began my discernment process.

I look forward to my studies of religious life with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. I hope to learn the deeper meaning of Incarnational Spirituality, charism, mission and community life. I hope to be able to meet more of our Sisters in the near future.”

Praised be the Incarnate Word! 

Maria Del Carmen Ramirez MRamires

Pre-Novitiate Entrance Ceremony of Maria Del Carmen Ramirez to Emmaus Community, San Antonio, Texas

On Sunday, November 8, 2020, the Sisters gathered at our CCVI Grotto in San Antonio for a Prayer Service to welcome Maria Del Carmen Ramirez to the Pre-Novitiate phase of the Formation Program. 

In attendance, were Sisters Teresa Maya, Congregational Leader, Peggy Bonnot, General Councilor, Emmaus Community Sisters, Adriana Calzada, Mary Henry, and Michele O’Brien. Other participants, were Pre-Novice Director, Sister Feliciana Mejia, and Vocation Directors, Sisters Maria de Jesus Bringas and Kathleen Reynolds.  

The opening song was followed by Maria Del Carmen’s sharing of a personal drawing depicting the symbol of her calling:

“There are different elements in the symbol. 

If we take it apart, you can see a treble clef.

This music symbol represents how music has helped me throughout my life; 

it represents my story and who I am.

I have always said, ‘life is like a song’, this is my song to Him.

The heart with the three roses represents the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the importance she holds in my life. She is my role model, 

so I chose the Annunciation as the scripture.

 Mary’s “Yes” was loud and clear and it is how I want mine to be. 

On top of the heart, you can see a cross with rays around it reminding me

 that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Whenever I see the image of Sacred Heart of Jesus, I see it as an invitation. 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus has called me and, so, 

my symbol is my answer to Him… 

“Here I am, Lord.”

Placing a plaque depicting the Annunciation of the Lord on the altar, the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38 was proclaimed, which was followed by the singing of “La Fe De Maria”. 

Sister Teresa Maya presented Maria Del Carmen with a Medal of the Incarnate Word, followed by a Blessing.  The service concluded with Blessings on the Emmaus Community. 

Praised be the Incarnate Word!

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  Maria Del Carmen Ramirez

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  Maria Del Carmen's Symbol