Sr. Myriam’s Silver Jubilee
Silver Jubilee Joy!! On July 19, 2022 we celebrated with Sr. Myriam Nazareth, her 25 years of Consecration. In keeping with her own wishes, this was first and foremost Jesus’ Jubilee—a celebration of His calling and consecrating and keeping her in his loving care all these years!
Sr. Myriam Nazareth was born in South Korea. Here is her “vocation story” in her own words:
“On my brother’s first birthday our family had a very big party with many people. Everyone was so happy to be together on this occasion. So was I, until I noticed that there were more grandmas than I could count on my four-year-old fingers. Then suddenly a thought crossed my mind: ‘When they become old who will take care of them? They are too many!’ Since that day, this event came back in my dreams from time to time, until I visited Little Sisters of the Poor in their new foundation in Suwon in my Home country, South Korea. When I saw the Sisters looking happy to be with happy grandmas, my question got answered and I loved them. Eventually I was very grateful that God called me to be a Little Sister of the Poor. Over the years, I have been happy to see our holy Little Sisters taking care of our Residents with love and accompanying them on their way to Heaven. My problem with there being no one to be there for too many grandmas was resolved, and I am blessed to be part of the solution.”
Now we are blessed to have Sr Myriam here in Philly to be with our Residents at Holy Family Home! When asked “How did you get here?” she answered: “God sent me here for the Residents who would like to have a Korean sister to enrich their multicultural life.” She continued: “While working for the Samsung company, one of my friend’s father, who was an employee at the new Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Suwon, asked the young people of his parish to volunteer for the Home. I used to go every Saturday with my friends to help the sisters.”
Sr. Myriam entered the Little Sisters of the Poor in Cheongju, South Korea, went to the Motherhouse in France for her initial formation and professed her First Vows there at La Tour St. Joseph on July 19, 1997. She was then missioned back in Suwon as a Little Sister cook.
Like all Little Sisters, five years later, Sr. Myriam returned to the Motherhouse in France for her Second Novitiate, that is, a year of spiritual preparation for her Perpetual Vows. She studied Theology in Rome after her Perpetual Vows, and was assigned to Formation of Novices in Suwon, South Korea. She was transferred to the U.S. in 2010 to experience the joys of Hospitality in Scranton, PA. Then, after another mission in her homeland, she returned to the U.S. a second time. Sr. Myriam has been part of the Community of Holy Family Home since 2020. She arrived with the Pandemic! She continues bringing her loving presence to the Residents of the Nursing Units and accompanying Sr. Veronica on her begging rounds.
Front: Sr. Mary Grace, Sr. Elizabeth Teresa, Sr. Benedict, Mother Celine Thérèse Back: Sr. Veronica, Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Maria Catherine
Left: Frances L and Sr. Myriam; Right: Sr. Marie Antoinette and Sr. Myriam
At a church collection at St Andrew’s Parish, Sr Veronica met Sang Woo Chi, a Korean deacon. Sr. Myriam listened to his vocation story on the website of St Charles Borromeo Seminary. Not long after, Sr. Veronica, Sr. Myriam, and Mr. Luca Kim, our Korean Resident, rejoiced to be able to be present as Rev. Sang Woo Chi was ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. That was last May. Sr. Myriam, in turn, invited Father Chi to celebrate her Jubilee Mass.
Left: Father Chi; Right: Mother Celine Thérèse, Sr. Myriam, Fr. Chi
At 11 a.m. on July 19, 2022, Sister Myriam’s “Philly Family” of Residents, Little Sisters, Friends, and Jeanne Jugan Associates joined her in offering the Eucharist in thanksgiving for her twenty-five years as a Little Sister of the Poor.
Sr. Myriam Nazareth renewing her Vows, July 19, 2022
”AJJs” (Jeanne Jugan Associates) are an important part of our “Philly Family.” Five of them are pictured here with Sr. Myriam and Fr. Chi.
Sheila M, Pat L, Cathy M, Sr. Myriam, Eileen (behind), Patty Z, Fr. Chi
Sr. Myriam and Father Chi, July 19, 2022
