SUPERIORS
- I was elected Mother Superior. I’m touched and sad at the same time. I’m sad for what I’m leaving behind, especially the school. (p. 102)
- I addressed the community as Mother Superior for the first time. I remain confused in this house where so many sisters are examples of virtue and now the Lord has permitted that I receive the name of Mother Superior. My smallness is becoming even more self-evident. Because of this, and persuaded that I am incapable of governing aptly, prudently, or intelligently, I place my supervisory responsibilities in the Virgin so that She might watch over the Order and over this community with the care and tenderness of a mother. I wrote a letter to address the missionaries. I’m saddened that perhaps they won’t find the same tenderness in me as they do in Mother Nieves, but I want to know that she and I are as one. I would like for them to continue to write her and to give me their trust. (p.103)
- I’m at peace. The community is very happy and loving toward me. I also truly love them. I understand that I will need to exert myself a lot in order to respond to the demands of my post (as Superior). (p. 103)
- In the meeting today, I opened up my heart (as Superior) to the community. I want to be a mother to everyone, from the strong to the week, from the timid to the high-spirited, and I want everyone to believe this. I want that love unites us and that we help each other carry out our small loads. (p. 104)
- (As Superior) I would want there to be happiness and broadmindedness. They are seeds from Berriz transplanted in China and, although the circumstances don’t help, they must make an effort to preserve the spirit of Berriz. Honest, happy unassuming, spontaneous, and natural. (p. 107)
- And I’m happy that my post (as Superior) requires me to live detached from everything, especially from my own self-esteem. (p. 107)
- I want to make the most of the affection that everyone has for me (as Superior) in order to accompany them in the pursuit of Christ. (p. 109)
- I’m sorry that they hadn’t relied on my opinion (as Superior) and the bishop hadn’t consulted her, as he should have. I wrote them a letter using three pieces of paper. (p. 110)
- The authority given to us in 1926 to go on missions will expire in January 1932. Even though we imagine that this authority, having expired after six years, will be reconferred to us without expiration, we feel it’s important that the legal question be resolved before that date. Because if not, in the future there may be a mother superior with a different point of view and could place the missionary work of this house in jeopardy. (p. 122)
- No one has to tell me that the Superior has defects. I can see them. But I also know she has other qualities that allow me to maintain my judgement about her. (p. 181)
- Today, July 30, on the eve of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, we held the first General Chapter meeting of the Institute. Justo Echeguren, Vicar of the Diocese and representative of Bishop Mateo Mugica who continues in exile, presided over the elections. It was a simple act, and very informal. I was again elected Mother General of the Institute and Mother Nieves was reelected Vicar. It was a unanimous vote for both of us. (p. 220)
- My job (as Superior) is to guide and encourage with intense faith. I’ve begun writing to the missionaries. And as the mother to all of the, I’ve asked that they pray for me, now more than ever, because I need guidance and grace from the Holy Spirit in order to govern the Institute as Jesus Christ would, with high-mindedness. (p. 220)
- I’ve dedicated all of this afternoon to writing carefully to the Superiors of the communities. I asked all of them to accept their posts with a spirit of faith, trust, happiness and humility. If they live in unity with God, He will guide their steps and shape their hearts, making them affectionate and loving with everyone. Their principal task is to foment the spirit of family and help the community grow in a life of prayer… (p. 225)
- The letters from the missionaries fill my heart. My greatest joy is seeing that everyone has a good disposition and is enthusiastic in their dedication to their mission. They are extremely sincere and frank with me (the Superior) … (p. 226)
- Today I wrote to the Superiors encouraging them to carry out their jobs with happiness and encouragement always. They should have a compassionate heart as they tackle problems with affection and sincerity. They need to have an inalterable selflessness with everyone, giving up their time and rest congenially, freely, and without being depressed. They need to be convinced that showing affection and care for everyone engenders love, trust, respect, sincerity, spirit of family, and freedom. They should have their eyes cast upon God, in continual prayer, and faithful to the Holy Spirit who guides and strengthens them. He will help them correct their errors and make the wise choice in each particular situation in accordance to the will of the Father. (p. 235)
- The Superior of Saipan advices me not to send people to missions who have few skill…The Lord wants us to be detached, happy, and joyful in our dedication to the Kingdom of God. (p. 236)
- I asked the Superior of Wuhu to try to dispel the feeling of nostalgia that she says some sisters feel after seeing their studies and careers buried. (p. 237)
- I’m (as Superior) dedicated, like never before, to the formation of the Institute. And this is how I want to continue because God asks me to. I am very careful about the personal direction of each sister, and I make use of the weekly meetings and talks in order to take care of the spiritual progress and the complete instruction of the community… (p. 260)
- To me, a true Superior is not someone who looks for obedience as much as someone who looks to see that his dictate is appropriate and correct. A true Superior knows how to respect the liberty of others and never resists it. Instead, he helps them in everything. I want the Superiors of the Institute to be unassuming, humble, prudent, uncomplaining, and pragmatic. I want them to be happy, kind, and understanding. I would want them to be open, conversant, and not only listen to the opinions of everyone, but to act upon them when they are correct. There are dangers that must be avoided. When a Superior stay in the same positon for a long time, he runs the risk of thinking that he is actually superior in many things, and that he will always be so. He believes he is superior in religious spirit, ability, and in everything. He runs the risk of needlessly having contempt for the views of others. He also runs the risk of making it difficult for him to submit to others. All of this makes him far removed from true humility whose absence he tends to conceal by a public show of humble phrases and deeds to persuade others that he is humble. Just like it’s hard for a subordinate to show obedience if he’s not very spiritual, so sit is that no matter how long a superior is in his position when he acts this way, the more it will be difficult for him to have the virtue of humility. It’s also easy for a superior who is very good in one area to be inclined to act like he is superior in all areas. If he is the superior of a house, especially if it’s been for a long time, he will judge and work as if he were superior in everything if he’s not very careful. He’ll think he’s superior in knowledge, in dealing with people, and in organization. He will believe this deep inside. This belief will not allow him to let anyone have preference over him or be equal to him. (pp. 266-267)
- Little by little I’m catching up with my letter writing. Today I’ve dedicated the entire morning to writing the Superiors of the houses. I thank them for the trust they placed in me when they open their hearts and told me their concerns, especially when there are concerns caused by inevitable misunderstandings for which encouragement and comfort are needed. I’ve encouraged them to confront their difficulties with bravery and to preserve freedom above all fear. I believe it is good that they are conscious of their limitations because, even if they don’t want to, they are bound to make mistakes often. All of us make mistakes sometimes and it’s not always easy to ascertain what is in each person’s best interest. But this experience should not discourage them from fulfilling their duties. Instead, it should help them continue to purify their actions until they get to the point where their governance is pure of intention and, as much as possible, a continual exercise or benevolent goodwill, serene justice, and absolute impartiality. Their task is to use all the resources that are at their reach so that the good mood of the community doesn’t decline. I’ve recommended that they maintain personal dialogue with the sisters about everything that has to do with the life of the community and with the way in which they carry out their tasks and responsibilities, but absolutely without touching upon their consciousness. I’m convinced that frequent individual contact secures the spirit of family and the unity of literary works open horizons and help the community focus its heart upon Christ. (p. 280)
- I wrote to the Superior of the community of Bilbao. I want her to be filled with unlimited love for all the nuns there, and follow the program, to the letter, that I outlined for me during this jubilee year. (p. 291)
- I am writing to the Superior of Bilbao. I open up my heart to her and I talk about my desires. I want her to selfless surrender to the love of Jesus Christ, so that He might teach her how to carry out the will of the Father with the same faithfulness that Jesus does. I want her to identify with Him, with his desires, intentions, and disposition so that she may become, as I strongly hope she does, a pillar of the Institute and a great saint. I want her to be very motivated, extremely so, and that she always sees herself as small so that the Lord might carry her in His arms. (p. 295)