I want to call to your attention two stories in this edition of the Register that are particularly poignant to me. They are the stories of Mother Rosemae Pender, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, and Discalced Carmelite Sister Cecilia Maria.

As our story on page two relates, Mother Rosemae, who co-founded the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 1973, recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of her religious life at a special Mass June 26 at the motherhouse in Meriden, Conn. Just after presenting the constitutions of her order to the celebrant during the Offertory, she suffered a heart attack and died, surrounded by the members of her order.

Our article on page four tells a similar story, from a hemisphere away, in a Carmelite monastery in Santa Fe, Argentina. Sister Cecilia left this world on June 23 at the age of 42, after a battle with cancer of the tongue and lungs. What is notable is the constant, joyful smile that was on her face as the end of her suffering neared and another bride of Christ prepared to meet her Divine Spouse.

These stories remind me of Mother Angelica, EWTN’s foundress, who ended her earthly life of service amid suffering on Easter Sunday this past March.

They serve as a testament to us to the transitory nature of this life — and how we should live with one eye on this world and the other on the next. St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us.

God bless you!