I encountered Christ in the resident as she was dying and in the Eucharist
Sr. Rose Cantu, Sr. Rose Veronica LSP, Little Sisters of the Poor

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I wanted to answer, "a Sister." Those were the first words that came to mind during an interview to volunteer at the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul. At the time, I was 12 years old and though baptized Catholic I wasn’t raised in the faith. I didn’t know what it meant to be Catholic, what a Sister was, and I thought the laywoman interviewing me would think I was crazy if I said, “a Sister.” Instead, I hesitantly replied, “A doctor, teacher, or maybe a nurse.” Hesitantly, she nodded her head and suggested that I could work with one of the Sisters. I agreed.

Soon after volunteering for a few months with the Little Sisters of the Poor, who care for the aged poor, I was struck by the faith of the residents and the Sisters. I remember bringing a resident to the chapel and feeling this awesome, indescribable Presence. At that moment, a thirst for God was awakened in my soul. I hadn’t realized that it was Christ’s presence in the Eucharist that I felt until one of the Sisters explained the Eucharist to me. The more I learned about the faith and God, the more I desired to give myself to Him.

I recall the moment when one of the residents was dying. All the Sisters were called to her room. I was invited to join the Sisters in praying at the bedside of this resident. Such great peace radiated from the resident. As we were singing the Salve Regina, Our Lord came to get her. She went so delicately and peacefully. After she died, some of the Sisters remained with her while I joined the rest in going to the chapel for Benediction and Evening Prayer. I was struck by the fact that I had just encountered Christ in the resident as she was dying and in the Eucharist. I realized that I could best respond to God’s desire for me by giving myself completely to Him as a Little Sister of the Poor.

Currently, I made my first profession as a Little Sister of the Poor in June 2008. I am blessed to have received the grace to serve God in the aged poor by following in the footsteps of our Foundress, Blessed Jeanne Jugan, who humbly and courageously “refused God nothing.”