When I was a postulant 42 years ago, I first saw Sister Jeanne d’Arc briskly walking up the De Profundis Hall carrying a bundle of laundry. I greeted her and mentioned how impressed I was that she could walk that quickly. She looked at me and simply let that smile go from one side of her face to the other. Remember, postulants were not permitted to associate with any sister other than those in the novitiate. Those who remember me then will recall how that rule didn’t sit too well with me.

I soon noticed that Sister was a gentle woman who was deeply prayerful, vibrant, alive, warm and had strong convictions. Her winning smile, great love of her Dominican vocation, family, friends, music, Padre Pio and the Blessed Sacrament were unparalleled.

One of the most outstanding things about Sister was that she was non-judgmental. She took people at face value and respected them for who they were. She never tried to change anyone. Sister was patient and allowed one to make mistakes but was always there to help them get back on the right road. For me personally, she was the most influential person who helped me mature as a person and religious. She challenged me to harness my energy and smooth the rough edges. All at my own pace. She always encouraged me to be myself.

Sister was a woman who enjoyed challenges and was not afraid to take risks. Following in St. Dominic’s footsteps Sister preached the word of the Gospel through her music ministry. Many of you must recall when we chanted the office how she kept us on key by blowing her pitch pipe. And how about those choir practices????

One of her great undertakings was the making of the record entitled Joy and selecting fifty sisters to become one voice on that record. Sister Jeanne d’Arc was a wonderful music teacher on every level of education. In the early sixties she founded the music department at Mt. St. Mary College. Her concerts were wonderful and her reputation as a masterful choir director was well documented.

At the age of 66 Sister left the college scene and went to Florida to begin a totally new ministry. Sister had a tremendous love for the Blessed Sacrament and wanted to share that love with the people of St. Mark’s parish in Boynton Beach, Florida. She initiated prayer groups and trained eucharistic ministers. She arranged for shut-ins to receive the Blessed Sacrament on a daily basis and saw that the elderly had companionship. She organized parishioners to visit the prisoners frequently. The people at St. Mark’s loved her and would do anything to help her. Her winning smile and tranquil demeanor were powerful assets.

Sister loved to share stories about her many converts to the Catholic church. Every mission where she ministered, she had converts. She even had converts in Japan where her beloved brother, Fr. Jack, was stationed.

Family for Sister was very important. She spoke lovingly about her parents and siblings. Her love for Paul, her brother who died tragically, drove her to dream of a visit with Padre Pio in San Giovanni, Italy. She had great devotion to Padre Pio and felt that he could answer her question about Paul’s soul being saved. Her encounter with this great mystic changed her life greatly. She did receive her answer, and she wrote an article about her encounter and shared it with family, friends, and community.

One could not find a more loyal friend than Sister Jeanne d’Arc. She was there for you no matter what the cost to her. Everything she did for a friend was done in a quiet, dignified manner. I am sure many of you remember how she took care of Sister Mary Patrick. You could always tell Sister anything and feel better after talking with her.

The legacy Sister Jeanne d’Arc has left us is to allow God’s love to permeate every aspect of our lives.

This is the scripture that comes to my mind when I think of Sister Jeanne d’Arc’s legacy. It is from John’s gospel, Chapter 15, verse 12: “This is my commandment; love one another as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”

You have heard how I have know Sister for 42 years—perhaps now you know her, too.

Jean Spena, OP

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