The Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the opening and dedication of their chapel in Lincoln Sept. 23.
The sisters, generally known as the “Pink Sisters,” in reference to their rose-colored habits, had been invited to the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln in 1973 by Bishop Glennon Flavin. Bishop Flavin was aware of the order from his time spent because the auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis earlier than being named Bishop of Lincoln.
Bishop Flavin supplied his residence to the sisters. The Adoration Convent of Christ the King, situated at 1040 S. Cotner Blvd. within the coronary heart of Lincoln, continues to be dwelling to those beloved sisters.
As their identify implies, theirs is a congregation consecrated to the Holy Spirit. They’re a cloistered-contemplative missionary congregation whose members are totally devoted to the contemplative life and the service of perpetual adoration. Because the convent in Lincoln can solely accommodate a restricted variety of sisters, lay adorers assist keep the apostolate of perpetual adoration in the course of the day and early night hours.
The congregation was based within the Netherlands in 1896 by St. Arnold Janssen. Mom Mary Michael was the co-foundress and its first superior basic. She started the worldwide character of the congregation by opening chapels of perpetual adoration in the US, Germany, China and the Philippines. The reason for her beautification was formally opened in 2015.
Presently, there are 21 convents world wide: 4 in the US, 5 in Europe, six within the Philippines, three in South America and one convent in India, Indonesia and in Africa. The opposite convents in the US are in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Corpus Christi. The superiors from these three convents had been particular visitors for the fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Planning for the festivities started within the spring. Assisted by the Pink Sisters Auxiliary Board, a lay group of ladies who assist help the sisters in numerous duties, a grounds renovation was undertaken. Spearheaded by auxiliary board member Jennifer Klein of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln, quite a few native companies donated time and supplies to beautify the outside areas.
Main as much as the anniversary and starting Sept. 14, a novena of thanksgiving Plenty had been celebrated. A particular brochure and prayer card had been created, together with a video presentation.
The Aurora Room, a gathering area close to the chapel, was open in the course of the morning hours all through the novena for guests to view the video in addition to different footage and paperwork.
The spotlight of the fiftieth anniversary was the celebration of the Mass within the chapel. Bishop James Conley and Bishop Emeritus Fabian Bruskewitz concelebrated, joined by quite a few different clergymen. Further seating was added within the chapel to accommodate the laity, together with particular visitors together with a number of of the sisters’ relations. Overflow seating was supplied within the vestibule space with a stay stream video of the Mass.
After the Mass, guests had been offered with a present baggage of goodies and had been invited to greet the sisters within the Aurora Room. The sisters additionally opened their stunning non-public gardens for public viewing.
All are welcome and inspired to go to the chapel. It’s open from Monday to Saturday 6 a.m. to eight:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to eight:30 p.m.
Day by day Mass is well known Monday via Saturday at 7 a.m. whereas each day night time prayer with Benediction is at 8 p.m. There may be additionally a primary Friday holy hour at 7:15 p.m. every month.
When visiting, the sisters invite you to spend slightly time within the bookstore, situated within the vestibule space, and to go away your prayer intentions. A particular bonus of visiting this yr is that it is among the stops on the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln’s Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage.
The sisters give glory, reward, adoration and thanksgiving to the triune God for abiding of their midst within the Eucharistic shrine of Christ the King for the previous 50 years. They prolong their deepest gratitude to their adorers, benefactors and mates for his or her kindness and generosity to their Neighborhood. Be a part of them and are available adore Him!
Contributed by Joan Tasler, a member of the Pink Sisters Auxiliary Board
Pictures courtesy Bob Ruyle
