Yesterday I spoke to an elderly Portuguese woman. Mrs. Leite, who is one of many hundreds whose lives were touched by Sister Raphael. As I listened it was evident that our Sister Raphael, a religious of great piety and prayer had influenced Maria far more than she could have ever imagined.

Sister had relatives in Fall River—Father Pare and Imelda. She spent her early childhood in Worcester and remained close to her family driving there frequently. My sister-in-law accompanied her a few times and was impressed with Connie’s love for her family.

Sister Raphael—Rafe, as we called her—was a very sincere, genuine person. As a teacher she was so well liked by her first graders that years later they remembered her fondly. My first encounter with Sister was when she was a postulant and I was a youngster helping the sisters in the convent. We had done the dishes and were hanging out the dish towels. I teased her about her hair cut. She promptly gave me a lecture on the sacrifices one made when entering religious life. This spirit of sacrifice remained with her throughout her religious life.

When she became the sacristan at St. Ann’s church she took that responsibility to heart and gave it all she could. The altar linens were washed and ironed with meticulous care. She wanted everything done perfectly for the Lord. Some former altar boys told me that they considered it a privilege whenever she asked them to clean the candle holders. She was cheerful but she made certain that the boys got everything spotless.

Respectful to the many priests with whom she worked, Sister was gracious to all the pilgrims who visited the shrine. Maria Leite is testimony to how Sister Raphael radiated peace, joy, and hope. Her generosity in sharing time with them and praying for them was remarkable. Her deep love for the saints permeated her conversations and showed in her every day life.

Often she accompanied me to my home and was delighted when my mother cooked her favorite meal—delmonico steak. Later she would ask, “When are we going to see your mom?”

We all know how Sister Raphael liked parties. She was always ready to celebrate every special occasion. She enjoyed the companionship of her sisters and relished good food. She was fun-loving and cheerful even when she was in pain.

It has been said that if we want to remember our friends we must borrow from them.
Borrow…faith…hope…love
Borrow…courage…humility…and integrity
Borrow Christ-like example of the unseen values of the soul
Borrow confidence in the living God and loyalty to the triumphant Christ

And so as we say farewell to Sister Raphael we remember we dare to borrow
her great piety
her love of the saints
her loyalty
her prayerfulness

Sister was so often on the “bridge of prayer” reaching into the plenitude of God. This unseen bridge that carries all that honestly is faith or hope or charity. But most of all we borrow her example of the unseen values of the soul, her confidence in the living God

And may we be as loyal as she to the Triumphant Christ.

Sister Mary Agnes Shannon, OP

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