By: Sr. MaryAnn Hartmann, MMB
Today, April 21st, we celebrate EASTER–the newness of life in the Resurrection of Christ.
I have celebrated April 21st, since 1979, as the Anniversary of my First Profession of Vows, as a Mercedarian Missionary of Berriz.
Most people are familiar with the Silver Anniversary of 25 years or the Golden Anniversary of 50 years. Forty years, though, also has its own “color” and it is Ruby—so this year I am celebrating my Ruby Anniversary on Easter Sunday.
On April 21, 1979 with sincerity I professed:
“God, our Father. . . I, MaryAnn Hartmann, before Sr. Kathleen Kenney, representing Sr. Mary Angeles Amunarrriz, Regional Coordinator, vow for three years, chastity, poverty, obedience and to remain in the mission when there would be danger of losing my life if the good of my sisters and brothers so demands, according to the Constitutions of the Institute of the Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz.”
On leaving the chapel that day at Our Lady of Mercy Home in Kansas City, Missouri someone simply asked me, “How do you feel?” I clearly remember responding, “I just professed my vows for ‘three years’ but it felt like Forever!” (That actual “forever”– my Final Vows—took place nine years later right here in Saipan on June 26, 1988 at Mt. Carmel Cathedral.)
On April 21, 1979 I received a card to celebrate my First Vows and it said, “May you always be as happy as you are today!” Those words could not have meant more to me—that day and each and every day since. Gratitude to God has remained for these past 40 years of calling me to follow his son, Jesus, as a Mercedarian Missionary of Berriz.
From the very first moment that I saw the picture of Mother Margarita, it seemed as if her eyes were inviting me. In learning of her life and then the transformation of a cloistered convent into a missionary institute, the invitation to “Come, follow!” as an MMB rang loud and clear. This was the community that Jesus wanted me to be part of, to respond to his call, “I want you to follow me . . . as a missionary.” This was the community with not three vows, but four! The Fourth Vow of Redemption being “to lay down my life if the good of my brothers and sisters so demands,” as Jesus did.
God’s vocational call comes to each one of us to be committed lay persons–whether single or married, a priest or religious sister/brother. Mother Margarita once said, “I feel great joy in doing good…” Hearing God’s call and doing God’s will are the greatest good one can do in this life. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I would be called to be a religious sister and within that call a missionary in Micronesia–seven of those years in Palau and now 32 years (and counting) in Saipan. Indeed “… everything is possible for God.” (Mk 10:27)
Celebrating the Ruby Anniversary, and looking forward to the Golden one, I ask you to pray for me, that God willing, I will be enabled to reach that day in 2029! Please pray as well for a second miracle to be approved, enabling Blessed Margarita Maria Lopez de Maturana to be made a Saint—hopefully before then, AND in our lifetime!
Sr. MaryAnn Hartmann, MMB
MMB Maturana Community-Saipan
