Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, dear Sister Cecilia, Sister Teresa, and beloved Apostle Marynell, in a special way, I welcome Bishop Baker here with us tonight and thank Deacon Rick, Deacon Bob, and Deacon Javier for their presence tonight – how blessed we are that we are here together.

Tonight, heaven and earth meet.

We stand in the glow of the feast of All Saints — those radiant souls who now behold the face of God — and we keep vigil for All Souls, commending to the Lord’s mercy those still on their way to glory.

And in the midst of these sacred mysteries, we celebrate a milestone of grace: the 150th Jubilee Year of the Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Special greeting

Before we go further, I extend a cordial special greeting to our sisters in the motherhouse in Italy, especially to the Reverend Mother Superior, Mother Tina, and all the community who may be joining us tonight by livestream. May God bless you abundantly for the spirit of communion that unites us across oceans and cultures.

The Heart of Jesus – Source of hope 

The sisters have spent a century and a half repairing the world through love. Reparatrix means “one who mends what is broken.” Your charism flows from the open Heart of Christ — a Heart that gathers all things to Himself, promising: “Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away… and I will raise them up on the last day.” (Jn 6:37-40) That is our hope — our destiny in His love.

Saints, souls, and sisters – One communion of love 

Tonight, we stand between two feasts, All Saints and All Souls, and together they show the whole story of salvation.

The saints remind us of the goal — eternal life in God’s presence. The souls remind us of the journey — our need for mercy and prayer. And you, dear sisters, remind us of the mission — to live now as people of Heaven.

Your smiles, your energy, your joy, even your gentle humor, are a sermon all by themselves!

“The Lord is my Shepherd”

Psalm 23 reminds us: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” Sisters, you have trusted that Shepherd in abundance and in trial. He has led you through green pastures and dark valleys alike. Now, 150 years later, your community is a living psalm of gratitude. Your life proclaims: “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

A jubilee of gratitude and mission

A jubilee is a time to remember, to rejoice, and to renew. We remember the brave women who first heard the call to be Reparatrix — to console the Heart of Jesus and His people. We rejoice in the countless lives you have touched — children taught, the sick comforted, the poor lifted up. And we renew our commitment — all of us — to live as people whose hope is anchored in Christ. You teach us that the more we love, the more our hearts resemble His.

Eternal Hope 

Tonight, we also remember our beloved dead — sisters, relatives, benefactors, and friends.

“The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” (Wis 3:1) This is our sure hope: “I will raise them up on the last day.” (Jn 6:40) Hope unites the saints above, the souls being purified, and us who still journey in faith.

The Joy of the Sacred Heart 

Dear sisters, Sister Cecilia, Sister Teresa, Apostle Marynell, your joy is contagious! You remind us that a Christian’s truest mark is joy — joy born of hope, hope anchored in love. In a world weary and cynical, your witness proclaims that the Heart of Jesus still beats for us.

Conclusion 

So tonight, as Heaven and earth join in praise, we thank God for the Communion of Saints, entrust all souls to His mercy, and celebrate with joy this 150-year jubilee of the Reparatrix Sisters. May your charism continue to burn brightly in Birmingham and beyond — a beacon of hope, a reflection of the Sacred Heart’s tenderness.

And when our journey is done, may we all hear those words fulfilled: “Whoever comes to Me, I will never drive away… and I will raise them up on the last day.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in You. All saints of God, pray for us. Faithful departed, rest in peace. And beloved sisters, happy jubilee! May the next 150 years be even more radiant with hope and joy. Amen.