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'O Spirit of Wisdom, |
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This simple prayer is prayed throughout each day by Marian Hall resident Julissa Duggan, BVM. It is the heart and soul of her spirituality developed over a lifetime of faithfulness. Julissa reflects on her life of prayer and service. First Age: Early Life “The very young years of my life were based on the concept of prayer. All nine children and my parents prayed the rosary after dinner and before bedtime. The very young children would be taught to kneel at my mother's knee and say a night prayer. Prayer was most evident from my young years. “I was born in 1919 in South Garryowen , Iowa —30 miles south of Cascade, an Irish settlement. The teacher in our little one room school was a Catholic. She would hold religion classes early in the morning or after school. “There were no more than 14 students in the school, many of whom were my own brothers and sisters. The KKK (Ku Klux Klan) objected to this so the parents banded together to begin their own school, essentially forming the first parochial school in South Garryowen . They even supported the teacher.” As the family grew older, her parents sold the farm so the girls could go to high school in Dubuque . The BVMs staffed both St. Patrick's and Cathedral, where she went to school. She later attended St. Joseph Academy . “We understood the benefits of daily Mass. Through winter and summer, this was an important aspect of my spiritual life—with my friends, five of whom entered the congregation. “The Sisters were always so friendly both in the grade school and the high school that they had an influence on our lives spiritually and otherwise. Their complete dedication to the spiritual life and to teaching was inspiring. We often went down to visit with them in the evenings. “At the Academy, religious education was taught by diocesan priests. Retreats were usually three days. They were strict in a sense. A certain amount of silence was observed. The priest preached these retreats on subjects such as the sacraments, the gifts of the faith, etc. These helped us in our formative years to prepare us for our future life. “As early as 8th grade, I looked seriously at coming to Mt. Carmel . The call came as I observed the Sisters who did so much good. I desired to spread God's love as they did.” Second Age: Active Ministry With her mother's blessing, Julissa and her five good high school friends came to Mt. Carmel . She recalls that the novitiate was “a training time, a beautiful time even though it was very strict. Even with the strictness, I never thought of leaving. It was the grace of God who gave me the opportunity. “Meeting so many Sisters from so many states really helped. We formed so many friendships. One of those who came from California remains my closest friend in the community to this day. Some of this was because we were all striving for the same goal. The novitiate was a test of our endurance. “My very first mission was in Chattanooga , Tenn. The places where you had to endure more and had less were the happiest missions. There was a ‘togetherness.' We all saw the ends for which we were working and we were together in work and play. “Then I went to Muscatine ; I ended up being there a total of 39 years. I was administrator most of the time. I also taught 7th and 8th grade, had the choir and the altar boys. “This was a satisfying time spiritually because the people with whom I lived and those with whom I worked were so appreciative. I stayed because I felt I was part of their lives. I still hear from many of them and I feel very close to them. “I got my M.A. in the '50s. There was always time for retreat and vacation. We, staff, members of the Muscatine community, had many times that we would get together for prayer and sharing. Third Age: Retirement at Mt. Carmel “My retirement years at the Motherhouse have been exciting and satisfying. I was able to initiate different projects such as creating a dinette to provide coffee and snacks for Mt. Carmel employees who did not have access to a break room. “In time, many Sisters, too, came down because we put bird feeders outside the windows and this attracted viewers. This was a way that I was ‘feeding the hungry.' I was inspired by the charge, ‘Do whatever Mother Clarke would do.' These happy years continued until Caritas Center was finished and a beautiful break room was provided for the employees. “In 2002, one Saturday night, I developed a very high fever and collapsed the next morning. This was the beginning of a very serious illness which affected the spine and muscles. It required serious surgeries and grafts. “One of the surgeries was so serious that the Sisters and family were told that I would most likely not survive. I wasn't the least bit afraid. I felt like I was in the hands of God. My spiritual training from childhood through my training as a religious prepared me for this time of my life. “I have great devotion to the Divine Mercy of God. Because in his mercy, God has given us of his flesh and blood which provides for us Baptism and the Eucharist. “When I am lying in bed I pray, ‘Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ in atonement for my sins and those of the whole world.' “And to this day, I say this in my mind all the time. We began to pray this during my time in Muscatine . It seemed so true—that Jesus being human and divine is what it's all about. “To make a story short, after many weeks, I returned to Marian Hall to recuperate. This was the beginning of my ‘senior' years which have given me a chance to get to know God even better. In this way, the sickness has been a gift. “Now, in spite of health deficiencies, I still am able to attend most of the spiritual opportunities provided at Marian Hall and to live the religious life. I feel I have been given a great gift to be able to carry on the vocation given to me as a very young person.” About the author: Amy Golm, BVM is a campus minister at Clarke College and a graduate student. She is a member of the Communications Advisory Committee. Return to Table of Contents. |
