Ten Sisters of Life took their perpetual vows on Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, surrounded by more than 1,800 clergy, sisters and brothers religious, family members, and friends.

The new sisters represent the Suffern-based order’s largest class to take their vows at one time to date.

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, was the primary celebrant and homilist of the Solemn Mass of Religious Profession. He was joined by about 20 concelebrants, including Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen, vicar for clergy; Auxiliary Bishop Peter J. Byrne; Diocese of Portland (Maine) Bishop James Ruggieri; and Father Enrique Salvo, rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Sister Joan Curtin, the New York Archdiocese’s vicar for religious, also attended.

“The best homily has already been done, not by me, but by the Sisters, when they presented themselves,” Archbishop Caccia said in his homily, thanking the newly professed for giving their lives to Christ.

Each sister professed her vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience before Sisters of Life Mother Superior Mary Concepta. Each also received a ring, representing her marriage to the Eternal Bridegroom, Jesus.

The Sisters of Life were founded in 1991 after Cardinal John J. O’Connor, then Archbishop of New York, published an article in Catholic New York in 1989 entitled “Help Wanted: Sisters of Life.” Eight sisters established the new order on June 1, 1991. It has now grown to more than 100. Their motherhouse is in Suffern.

Biographies of the Sisters who took perpetual vows on August 6, 2024

Sr. Mary Casey O’Connor, S.V., 41, graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in theology and religious education. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sr. Mary Casey served as a youth minister in her home parish of St. Frances Cabrini in Littleton, Colorado. She is the daughter of James and Cindi Gunning of Centennial, Colorado, and her siblings are Todd, Erin Martinez, and Casey, her twin sister. Her missions with the Sisters of Life have included evangelization and spiritual support to university students, living with and upholding women during their pregnancies and following the birth of their children at the community’s holy respite, and assisting with the temporal affairs of the community. Her current mission involves evangelization and spiritual support to the Albany diocese and service to the Sisters of Life community.

Sr. Luca Benedict, S.V., 40, graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School with a Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Montefiore Health System. She is the daughter of Peter and Judy Furka of Secaucus, New Jersey. Her twin sister, Sr. Pia Jude, is also a Sister of Life. Sr. Luca’s previous missions have included providing support and services to women in the Philadelphia area who find themselves pregnant in difficult circumstances. Her current mission involves evangelization and spiritual support to the Albany diocese and service to the Sisters of Life community.

Sr. Tirzah Mariae, S.V., 36, graduated from the University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design. She is the daughter of Alex and Catherine Taylor of Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Her sister is Iris Taylor. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, she worked in New York City in the fashion industry. Sr. Tirzah’s previous missions include retreat ministry in Stamford, CT, and a mission of evangelization to university students in Denver, CO. She is currently part of the community’s Hope & Healing mission of accompaniment for women seeking healing and an encounter with the Lord’s merciful love after abortion.

Sr. Cora Caeli, S.V., 34, received her undergraduate degree from Marywood University in Scranton, PA, and completed Graduate studies at the Institute of Pastoral Theology in the Diocese of Madison, WI (a program through Ave Maria University). She is the daughter of Deacon John and Nancy Dunn of Hamilton, New Jersey. Their home parish was St. Stanislaus Church in Pleasant Valley, New York. Her siblings are Joseph (wife, Yeo) Dunn, Jeanette (Francis) Seichepine, and Mary Ellen (Erik) Mason. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, she served Catholic youth at Camp Gray in Madison, WI.  Sr. Cora Caeli’s previous missions include assisting the community’s newest members through a mission of formation and a mission of accompaniment for women seeking healing and an encounter with the Lord’s merciful love after abortion. She is currently serving in Vocations for the Sisters of Life.

Sr. Mary Catherine, S.V., 34, graduated from SUNY College at Brockport in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy and worked in a nursing home and as a FOCUS Missionary prior to entering the Sisters of Life. She is the daughter of Sean and Alice Brown of Brewerton, New York. She has an older sister, Jennifer Brown. The Browns are parishioners of Divine Mercy Parish in Central Square, New York. Sr. Mary Catherine previously served at the community’s holy respite, living with and upholding women during their pregnancies and following the birth of their children. She is currently part of the New York Visitation Mission, providing services and support to women who find themselves pregnant in difficult circumstances.

Sr. Madeleine Carmel, S.V., 34, graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutritional Sciences and a Masters in Dietetics from the University of Vermont. She is the daughter of Randal and Angela Russell of Edmonds, WA. Her siblings are Hannah, Claire, Raphael, Grace, and Luke. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, she worked in Dietetics in Vermont and as a FOCUS Missionary. Sr. Madeleine’s previous missions have included serving in the Generalate mission of support to the community and a mission of evangelization and spiritual support to the Albany diocese. She is currently missioned as part of the Formation Team for the community’s Novices.

Sr. Lumen Gloriae, S.V., 33, received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the daughter of James and Christine Foley of Blair, Nebraska. Her younger siblings are Patricia and James Foley. She was a FOCUS Missionary prior to entering the Sisters of Life. Sr. Lumen has previously served in the community’s retreat mission in Stamford, CT. Her current mission involves evangelization and spiritual support to university students.

Sr. Martha Maria Guadalupe, S.V., 32, received a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Spanish from Benedictine College (Atchison, KS). She is the daughter of Robley and Joan Evans of Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Her siblings are Sr. Mary Joseph, ACJ, Paul (wife, Leah) Evans, and Theresa, Philip, and Anna Evans. She was a FOCUS Missionary prior to entering the Sisters of Life. Sr. Martha has been part of the community’s Hope & Healing mission of accompaniment for women seeking healing and an encounter with the Lord’s merciful love after abortion. She currently serves in the New York Visitation Mission, providing services and support to women who find themselves pregnant in difficult circumstances.

Sr. Charity, S.V., 31, received a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She is the daughter of Andrew and Eileen Brown of Orillia, Ontario, Canada. She is one of four children. Sr. Charity served as a Totus Tuus missionary prior to entering the Sisters of Life. Her previous missions include serving in the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York. She is currently missioned as part of the Formation Team for the community’s Novices.

Sr. Juliana Guadalupe, S.V., 29, received a degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She is the daughter of Paul and Gloria Martin of Plano, Texas. Her siblings are Kevin and Stephanie Martin. Prior to entering religious life, Sr. Juliana Faustina worked in marketing for BirthChoice in Dallas. Sr. Juliana has served in the New York Visitation Mission, providing services and support to women who find themselves pregnant in difficult circumstances. She is currently part of the community’s Hope & Healing mission of accompaniment for women seeking healing and an encounter with the Lord’s merciful love after abortion.