By Deacon Dean Johnson
Correspondent
Children learn mostly by the examples that they see. For then-10-year-old Jazmin Silverio Reyes, it was watching the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary sisters at Holy Cross Parish in Bridgeton.
“I remember seeing most people just walk by everyone, but [the sisters] would stop; [they were] close to the people, actually seeing the dignity of the people,” said Sister Jazmin of the Simplicity of Jesus, who made her first profession of vows Aug. 24 at Saint Teresa of Avila Church, a worship site of the parish.
Helping Sister Jazmin celebrate were clergy, religious, loved ones and longtime friends, including Father Matthew Weber, parish pastor, and Father Vincent Guest, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden. Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams celebrated Mass.
Sister Jazmin was born in Bridgeton; when she was 5, the family moved to Mexico. They returned to New Jersey three years later, and Sister Jazmin began witnessing her mother’s growing involvement in the Church.
“My mom made 100 percent sure that we had a Catholic faith,” she said of her and her brother, Juan.
Sister Jazmin became an altar server and later, a catechist at the parish.
Sister Maria de Jesus Herrera, MDPVM, superior of the community in Bridgeton, must have sensed the growing devotion in the young altar server.
“When I was 15, Sister Maria de Jesus took me to see their motherhouse with two other young ladies,” Sister Jazmin said. “At that point, I wasn’t looking for a religious life. I think she invited me to see if that was for me.”
At 18, she went on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border with the Diocese of Camden’s “Share the Journey” program. “I realized that there were so many people suffering. I think that’s when I realized that God wasn’t just up there [the heavens], God was here [on earth.]”
After spending a year as an aspirant, serving as layperson while living in the convent, Sister Jazmin learned about the religious community while assisting the sisters with their duties. She then spent one year of postulancy and two years as a novice in Mexico, where the formation house for the religious order is located.
She was offered the opportunity to make her first profession of vows at her home parish in Bridgeton, to which she happily agreed. She is the first sister to profess in her order in New Jersey.
In his homily, Father Guest talked about how he first met Sister Jazmin – 12 years ago when he was a new priest and she was an altar server at Holy Cross Parish.
“I remember those days very well,” Father Guest said. “You always had a love of God in your heart,
for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to the Blessed Mother, and a heart of service. You told me your vocation was confirmed when you visited the border and saw so much suffering. In the pain of the people, you saw the pain of Jesus.”
Father Guest also spoke about visiting Aguascalientes, Mexico, the location of the MDPVM motherhouse, and a visit to the shrine of Cristo Roto.
“On the cross, the image of Jesus is broken,” Father Guest said. “Jesus on the cross has one arm, and part of his leg is also broken. There is an inscription near the shrine. The inscription says, ‘Leave me Broken.’ This cross is a reminder of all who are broken in the world. The poor, the sick, the orphan, the migrant, the homeless, the addicted, the oppressed. This is your call, Jazmin. To see the person of Jesus, the broken Jesus, in all you meet. As a religious sister, you serve the broken Jesus in the world.”
Father Weber said the Mass was an answer to many prayers in his parish. “We are praying for vocations.” This profession of vows is a “fulfillment of the dreams of the sisters that there would be a vocation from our parish. It is the fruit of hopes, dreams and prayers.”
The moment of the Mass that stood out most to Sister Jazmin was saying her vows.
“I was really nervous – but I really enjoyed just wanting to respond – at least for a moment – to God’s love,” she said. “They talk about how we are all meant to respond to the call – how God keeps choosing me with a scent of softness. I’ll offer a sacrifice for you in a sense of softness. I think that is how God is, very delicate with us.
Sister Jazmin will be serving at Bishop Schad Regional School in Vineland until December. Then she will return to the U.S.-Mexico border to work with migrant orphans until August.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
