Who We Are

Sister Rebecca Ann Espinosa, SC

Recently a request came to the Archives for information about Sister Rebecca Ann Espinosa, the first Hispanic sister from the Southwest to enter the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill.  Maria Ignacia Luisita (Ina) Espinosa, daughter of Maria de la Cruz (Cruzita) and Jesus Maria Espinosa, a native of Mexico, was born on June 21, 1912 in Manassa, Colorado.  Her family later relocated to Arizona, and it was in Tucson that Ina first met the Sisters of Charity.

Ina secured a job at a women’s ready-to-wear shop in Tucson where she developed an eye for fashion, color, and neatness.  She became very active in the Cathedral parish in Tucson where she attended days of recollection and belonged to the Sodality as well as many lay organizations. When she felt a call to religious life, she consulted her spiritual director who encouraged her to “heed God’s call.”

At the suggestion of the sisters stationed at the Casa Elizabeth Seton in Tucson, Ina traveled by bus in early March 1952 from Arizona to Seton Hill in Greensburg with a bit of fear and trepidation. She wanted to determine if this was the place for her to find her vocation.  After a few days living with the sisters, Ina said she felt “at home” and “belonged.”  Mother Claudia Glenn accepted her petition to enter, and she became a postulant on March 25, 1952.

Sister Rebecca Ann with the Bishop of Tucson

Ina was given the name Sister Rebecca Ann when she received the habit on January 4, 1953. She professed her first vows on August 15, 1955 and made final profession on August 15, 1960.  She spent the greater part of her ministerial life in Arizona.  Throughout her life with the Sisters of Charity, Sister Rebecca Ann spread happiness, joy, and love of God and neighbor to all she met and served.  Sister Rebecca Ann died at Caritas Christi on January 27, 2004. 

As the Archivist was preparing information to send to a relative of Sister Rebecca Ann, some of the forgotten nuggets of her life surfaced.  She was a poet, and the archivist took time to read and reflect on several of her verses.  Attached to this brief article are some excerpts from the writings found in her small notebook.  Perhaps these words will warm your heart and spirit as the world moves into the New Year.

COME

“Come aside to the desert and rest awhile,”
Our Loving Lord invites.
“Rest here in quiet, simple style
Or-soar to Heaven’s heights.”

“Come to the desert, I am here to share—
A word or two with you.
Come to the silent desert where
We’ll be alone, we two.

You look so tired and weary,
Oh, how you need to rest!
Life isn’t all that dreary,
Stay here – and be my guest.

“Breathe from these lonely hills and dells
The pure, clean, desert air.
Stately saguaro sentinels
Proclaim that I am here.”

“And in this lonely solitude-
I’ll whisper to your soul.
In hushed, sweet, loving interlude
You’ll find yourself made whole.”

Lord, I’ve been here a few days,
My heart’s been so at ease
And as I leave, I seem to hear You say,
“You have been healed, my child,
Go now, in peace.”

MY PRAYER

Dwell in my heart and sever
My sins from out my soul forever,
That I may always live for you.
My thoughts be prayerful, pure, and true.

I long to serve You well,
Your boundless mercy tell
That all the world may know
That You will always help us in our woe.

Oh, Jesus, Savior, Lord.
My soul is somehow bored
With all the pettiness of life
Behold, I falter in the strife.

Lord, when my weary life is done,
Up past the bright and glorious Sun
Bid my soul rise to you above
That I may dwell forever in your love.

For the Archivist there is a certain joy in meeting again and touching the heart of one of the sisters who has served God so well and returned to the life promised each of us for eternity.  During the days she served in our convents, taught CCD, and visited shut-ins, Sister Rebecca Ann brought much joy, laughter, and love of life.  She loved the simple things and shared that love with others.  She was a great help in a sing-along because she knew every song and every verse.  Her poetry gives a glimpse of the deep spirituality of this woman of Charity.