Victoria Sabisch, a 2011 graduate of Swansboro High School, has entered into the Novitiate with the Sister SErvants of the Eternal Word in Birmingham, Alabama.

In February 2011, Victoria was accepted into the Postulancy. On July 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sister Victoria entered the Novitiate and received the name, Sister Mary Patrick of the Blessed Trinity. She received her vhite veil, signifying her novice state, and her brown and white habit.

The Sister Servants of the Eternal Word have a dual heritage of Franciscan and Dominican charism. This is reflected in the habit. The brown cape and scapular, white-corded rope around their waist reflect the Franciscan heritage. The white tunic and 15-decade rosary reflects the Dominican heritage.

Sister Mary Patrick will spend two years in the Noivitiate, learning more deeply about the Catholic Faith, about the consecrated life, and specifically, life within a religious community.

The first year is cloistered which means the Sister Mary Patrick and her fellow novitiates will stay within the convent and not interact with the outside world. At the end of the second year, the brown veil is instituted. And after eight years, the final vows of profession are made.

Sister Mary Patrick realized in the fall of her sophomore year in high school that she had been called to serve Our Lord. She attended a youth retreat, Disciples on a Journey, sponsored by the Diocese of Raleigh where she met a young nun named Sister Laura. This meeting was life-changing, as Sister Mary Patrick's life changed focus to enter religious life.

She acknowledges that there were many people along the way who helped her on the journey to enter religious life. Most of them were from her home church, St. Mildred Church, including Fr. Donald baribeau, Deacon Jerry Fatica, the Women's Guild, and the Knights of Columbus, who financially support her on her continuing formation.

Sister Mary Patrick is grateful for all the prayers and Masses offered on her behalf.

~Photo courtesy of Francine Sabisch.