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She Gave All She Had
Frequent trips to convents all over the world by ship and later by jet, countless hours of prayer, work, and continual dedication to the sisters, her daughters in Christ - all of this was bound to take its toll on the health of Mother Thecla.
Her pen moved carefully across the stationery. It wrote strange words: "Tomorrow, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I want to offer my life that the Daughters of St. Paul may all become saints." It was May 27, 1961.
"I have spent all my life for the Congregation," she whispered to herself. "Can I not offer my death too? I know that it is not far away, but how can I be afraid? Death is the only door that can open heaven to me. It will open the door to Jesus. And what more can a religious desire than to possess Jesus? With Him I feel strong, generous, desirous of becoming holy. I want to do everything for Him, for heaven. Everything temporary has no value."
To the sisters who gathered for Sunday conference, the ailing sister spoke words of unforgettable worth. "It is hard to become saints," she said, "but we don't want to give up the idea for that. Let us work steadily, with faith, and in the best way we know how. God is a good cameraman, and at the judgment He will project the film. See to it that you are good stars - shining stars!"
By February of 1963 Mother Thecla was ill enough to mention it, which was most unusual for her. "You know," she said with that curious grin, "I do not feel well! I'm not sick enough to stay in bed though, so I must go on, even with the pain and suffering. I feel truly that all is not well, but... whatever God wants."
The novices who clustered around Mother Thecla as she walked with them out on the grounds chattered happily about their dreams and goals. They recounted stories of the apostolate with all their youthful enthusiasm. Suddenly, the laughter ceased and the circle of young faces became serious. They saw the face of their beloved Mother General grow twisted with pain as she struggled to say words that remained only sounds. They took her inside and put her to bed. Anxious sisters hovered over her, fearing the worst. She received the sacrament of the sick. So still as to barely seem to breathe, Mother Thecla hung on to life; five hours later she opened her eyes and tried to speak. After a few days the crisis passed, but her health had been gravely impaired. Mother Thecla was taken to the Queen of Apostles hospital to recover.
"There," she pointed, as the words formed slowly on her lips, "there beyond those stars is our Father's house, the house of the Father, who is waiting for us. How beautiful it must be to go home. . ."
Yes is Forever, by the Daughters of St. Paul, Copyright © 1981, Daughters of St. Paul. |
There was more time to pray and think of God now and the sister who so loved solitude knew how to make the most of her time. As the days passed, Mother Thecla began to get up from bed for short intervals. How she loved to go out onto the veranda and look out into the warm starry nights. God was so near. One night she looked up at the stars; her gaze roamed the heavens.