I am a Puerto Rican by birth and never wanted to leave my beautiful Island. I was thinking of entering the Carmelites, but once I learned from a Redemptorist friend that their ‘Sisters were contemplatives’ and living in New York, I knew I was going to be one! I applied and was accepted, and then I resigned my job in Social Security Administration. The most painful thing to do was to tell my family and friends about my decision. But the worst of all was telling my dearest Mom and Dad!
But here I am, over 50 years professed! Those years were exciting. I did a lot of work to build unity in the Order. I was been privileged to work on the Viva Memoria Magazine for our Order and helped with the OSsR/CSsR Secretariat. Wow!
My special place in Community now is to be close to Jesus at Mass and adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament and praying with Our Mother of Perpetual Help interceding for our world in war, for the most abandoned and for our beautiful mother, the earth. I am so grateful to Jesus our Redeemer for each day that I have lived as a Redemptoristine, and grateful to all the Sisters that have been part of my religious life, and those who are with me in the present day as we continue this wonderful vocation to be one with our Redeemer and continue His work of salvation on earth.
Sr. Lydia died peacefully o January 21, 2021. She lived the last year of her life of love, praise and intercession at Ozanam Hall Nursing Home of Queens, NY.