As this very special anniversary year for our Sisters draws to a close, we wanted to highlight some of the lesser-known but no less important events in the history of our congregation. For the next couple of weeks, we will share moments that have meant so much to our Sisters and may also resonate with our dear Nazareth family!
We have spoken often of Blessed Mary Stella and 10 Companions, the martyrs who gave their lives to save others from the horrors of the Nazi regime, but do you know the story of Sr. M. Estelle Pruszynski? Sr. Estelle was serving in Vilnius, now part of Lithuania, when World War II broke out and the Nazi regime held much of continental Europe in a stranglehold. Given orders to return to Paris for safety, Sr. Estelle was approached by Fr. Michael Sopocko with an important but dangerous request: to bring the news of then-Sr. Faustina Kowalska’s miraculous Divine Mercy visions to Rome. In order to do so, Sr. Estelle would need to travel through Nazi-occupied territories; in spite of the danger, she agreed, traveling by train and carrying the account of Sr. Faustina written on a piece of silk sewn into her habit, checking in at each Red Cross station she encountered so that in the event she did not reach her destination, her last respite would at least be known.
By the grace of God, Sr. Estelle made it to her destination, and the miracle of Divine Mercy became known to all, with Sr. Faustina becoming canonized as St. Faustina in 2000, a day that Sr. Estelle lived to see.
As we reflect on such inspiring acts of faith and courage, we invite you to consider making a gift this Giving Tuesday to support the ongoing work and legacy of our Sisters. Your generosity ensures that the extraordinary commitment of women like Sr. Estelle can continue to inspire future generations.
Mark your calendars for this year’s Giving Tuesday: December 2!
