Although every religious community incorporates the same essential elements of liturgical prayer, common life and apostolic service, each community is also a unique expression of the gift of Christ within the Church, with its own charism, mission and spiritualty. The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) is an international missionary community, based out of Corpus Christi, Texas, composed of priests, consecrated sisters and brothers, and lay members serving together on ecclesial teams in areas of deep need throughout the Church. Founded in New Mexico in 1958 by Fr. James Flanagan, SOLT’s vision and charism anticipated many of the movements of Vatican II, including the role of the laity in the mission of evangelization, the significance of Our Lady’s relationship with each Person of the Trinity, and “communion” as the foundation of all renewal within the Church.
The SOLT Sisters first arrived at St. Alphonsus in 2004, and the convent has been a house of formation from the beginning, serving as a place where young women who are taking their first steps toward a religious vocation begin their formation. Since 2004, more than 30 Sisters and SOLT aspirants, postulants and novices have become a part of the St. Alphonsus family. The various stages of formation include Aspirancy—an initial four-month time of discernment, Postulancy—a year of more intense formation geared toward the development of the whole person and greater understanding of consecrated life, and Novitiate—the official entrance into a religious community when the habit and white veil are received and the Novice begins a two-year period of preparation to make first vows.
Striving to achieve a balance of prayer, work, service, study, community life and recreation, the convent could be described as both prayerful and invariably busy! Each day the Sisters participate in Mass, a Eucharistic holy hour and the five hours of the Divine Office. They also pray the Rosary and meditate on Scripture together daily, and hold formation class five days a week. They serve at the school and in the parish in a variety of ways, from assisting in the classrooms, lunch duty, recess, extended care and the school office, to helping out with CCD, Youth Group, RCIA and some cleaning around the facilities. The SOLT Sisters are exceptionally blessed to have a home at St. Alphonsus, and they look forward to all the wonders the Lord will continue to work!
Sister Elizabeth Albers
Be on the lookout in the next few weeks as we introduce the newest members of the community…