of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
(Philomena Guaragna)
May 2, 1931 – November 10, 2002
Immaculate Conception Province
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“The one who loves Jesus does not seek self in anything but seeks Him. She does not seek her own consolation but His. For her the greatest happiness and consolation is that she can love Jesus, serve Him, and do His holy will.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Love Conquers All)
“. . . I do sincerely wish to belong to Jesus unto all eternity.” Words such as these written by a young professed religious may seem somewhat romantic, yet they formed the deep and loving truth that was born and bred in the heart of Sister Maria Pia who wrote these words not long after first profession. She unreservedly fixed her gaze upon the heart of Jesus in imitation of her spiritual mother and guide, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and lived into a life of unwavering commitment and steadfast fidelity.
For Sister Maria Pia, the time “unto all eternity” began suddenly and quite unexpectedly in the middle of an autumn Sunday afternoon as leaves lazily drifted from trees, slowly stripping them bare. The falling leaves seemed reminiscent of the physical sufferings and daily dyings that made up Sister’s life as a victim of Parkinson’s disease. She belonged now to Jesus wholly and entirely, and yes, for all eternity.
Described by all who knew her as prayerful, Sister Maria Pia’s life spoke of invitation. The gift of prayer, so near and dear to her heart, was lavishly poured out upon others who may have been experiencing an occasion of joy, sadness or even disappointment. The promise of a novena of Holy Hours from Sister was a coveted treasure beyond compare. Such generosity cannot be measured! Sensitive, good-humored and friendly, Sister Maria Pia’s life held the gift of loving attentiveness to all in need. Her life spoke of welcome. Truly, all felt welcomed into the warm embrace of her person.
Perhaps that is how it was on the day of her birth, May 2, 1931, in Francavilla Marittima, in Cosenza, Italy as she was welcomed for the first time into the loving arms of her devoted parents, Gennaro Guaragna and Teresina Oppido. On January 29,1933, the family of God at Santa Maria Annuzniata Parish, Francavilla Marittima, welcomed Philomena, too, in the celebration of the sacrament of baptism.
Some time later, Philomena journeyed with her parents to the United States where they were to make a new home. It was at the age of twenty-two that Philomena recognized in herself a hunger for God that could not be quenched. On June 12, 1953, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth as a postulant from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, McKees Rocks, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Received into the novitiate on August 11, 1954, in St. Joseph Province, Philomena set her mind and heart on Jesus as the object of her love and the center of her life. Now known as Sister Maria Pia, she diligently prepared for her life as a Nazareth sister. The vows of chastity, poverty and obedience were made two years later on August 11, 1956, in Bellevue, Pittsburgh.
As a young sister in the Saint Joseph Province, Sister Maria Pia served as sacristan at the provincial house and at Mercy Hospital before beginning studies in practical nursing at Ohio Valley General Hospital.
A short time later, Sister Maria Pia was asked to return to her Italian homeland where she prepared for final profession in Albano. The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus captivated her heart and nourished her spirit throughout much of her lifetime. And so it was to that Eucharistic Heart that she dedicated herself in final profession on August 11, 1962. From that time, she would be known as Sister Maria Pia of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
Sister served the Congregation in Italy for twelve years in many capacities. A talented seamstress her “stitch in time” assuredly saved more than nine on many occasions. And as sacristan, Sister paid loving attention to her Lord in every service rendered. Always meticulous about herself and her room, her charge was no exception. Multi-talented and quite versatile, Sister Maria Pia studied in various areas as needs within the Community arose: Sister ministered as Director of the Aspirature and as a parish minister at Ceglie del Campo, for a time.
Upon her return to the Saint Joseph province in early 1974, Sister Maria Pia once again took up studies at Mercy Hospital where she later served selflessly beyond the call of duty as a nurse’s aide. As a nurse’s aide as well as EEG and EKG technician at Ohio Valley General Hospital, Sister calmed many anxious patients by her care and concern echoed in words of encouragement and manifested in kind deeds.
In 1985, Sister Maria Pia traveled east to the Immaculate Conception Province, Philadelphia, to continue in the field of healthcare ministry as Activities Aide at St. John Neumann Nursing Home. Sister’s creative skills were indeed put to good use as she artfully engaged the residents.
It was during this time that the symptoms of the debilitating Parkinson’s Disease became more and more apparent. In 1996, there was no doubt that the time had come for others to attend to Sister Maria Pia. She had selflessly offered herself in so many situations and circumstances across her many years of active ministry – now seemed the time for the gift to be returned. With the same courage, perseverance, resignation and goodness found in Sister’s acceptance of her illness, with the same spirit of sincere cooperation with which she related to her physicians in treatment and surgery alike, Sister Maria Pia was asked to accept a transfer to Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia.
Sister Maria Pia’s years at the Mount were marked with increased physical pain and decreased mobility, yet her spirit of self-giving prevailed. Her desire remained profoundly simple: to be of service to others in whatever way possible, making the best of each day afforded her.
The care and support of her sisters in community could only be rivaled by the love and dedication of her family whose frequent visits mirrored the love that Sister Maria Pia experienced in Christ Jesus and reciprocated in each and every encounter.
Of her transfer to Philadelphia, Sister once reflected, “Even though I changed provinces, the spirit of the Nazareth Family remains the same in all our convents.” To be sure, Sister Maria Pia quite naturally enhanced that family spirit.
In this, the year of your golden jubilee, dear Sister, all the choirs of angels in festive attire join melodious voices with those of the celestial Nazareth chorus awaiting you singing a hymn of triumphant thanksgiving to the Triune God: Come, celebrate your life in the Eucharistic Heart of Christ – you now “belong to Jesus unto eternity!”
Digitized by S. Brendan O'Brien, CSFN
Instructor
School of Arts & Sciences
History Department
Holy Family University
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-637-7700 x3279
srbrendan@holyfamily.edu
http://web3.holyfamily.edu/srbrendan
Last updated: October 2006