HCH photo by Anna Weaver

In white habits and wearing red silk leis, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary sing at the anniversary Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of their congregation to Hawaii.

Valiant women, faithful shepherds

Here is the text of the homily of Bishop Larry Silva for the Mass marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Hawaii, celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Sunday, May 3

By Bishop Larry Silva | Hawaii Catholic Herald

On the first Christmas night, shepherds were chosen to be among the very first to gaze in adoration on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, held close to the Sacred Heart of Mary. Those who were experts on all the ways of lambs, were given the privilege to see the finest lamb shepherds would ever see, the little Lamb of God.

1800 years later, on a Christmas night, Henriette Aymer de la Chevalerie and Father Pierre Coudrin, after gazing in adoration on that same Lamb of God, who had become the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep, and inspired by the loving heart of his dear mother, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. From the beginning, these Sisters drew their strength and joy from the same vision that graced the eyes of those earlier Bethlehem shepherds, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, aflame with love.

Just as the little Lamb of God himself became the Good Shepherd, throughout history he has changed the lambs who listen attentively to his voice into faithful shepherds of his people. And so it has been for the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts. They listened to the music of angels, singing of God-with-us. They attuned their hearts to the heart of Mary, often pierced with sorrow, but always filled with the deepest joy. They gazed upon the Lamb of God, the Good Shepherd, the living Bread come down from heaven, the Lord Jesus himself, and this Good Shepherd drew them in to teach them to be good shepherds with him.

HCH photo by Anna Weaver

Sacred Hearts Sister Mary Charlotte Kahalewai is greeted by a friend after the anniversary Mass outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

One hundred fifty years ago, Hawaii rejoiced to receive the presence of these valiant women, women with their own talents and gifts who had submitted themselves to the guidance of the Good Shepherd. For a century and a half Hawaii has continued to rejoice that these faithful servants, with their own sacred hearts filled with love of God, have joined in the work of shepherding God’s people. They have provided the light of an education, equipping women and men throughout our islands to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, to be attuned to the hearts of Jesus and Mary, and to serve the community not only with great abilities and finely developed skills, but with the heart of the Good Shepherd himself. They have been a mother’s heart and presence to those whose mothers and fathers could not care for them. They have helped the young to learn all the very practical, down to earth skills of how to shepherd God’s beloved people and to be leaders in the works of compassion, of justice, and of peace. And while never being so romantic that they ignored the very dirty, hard and often unrewarding work that comes with taking care of sheep, neither did they ever lose sight of the vision of angels, calling all to rejoice in those Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Because they have constantly gazed in adoration upon the Lamb of God and faithfully followed the voice of the Good Shepherd, they have been the loving instruments of God in transforming little children from lambs to shepherds, too. Marriages have been enriched, families have grown in love, businesses have become more ethical, comfort has been brought to the sorrowing, and the vision of God’s goodness has been given to the blind because of the devotion of these wonderful women, the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.

Hawaii rejoices even more exultantly today than it did 150 years ago, because the hope that was the source of joy then has become the reality that fills our hearts with gratitude today. As the angels sang that first Christmas of a history connected with David and his city, yet danced at what would yet come to be in Jesus, so we look forward with hope and joy that the Sisters will continue to bear good fruit, that young women will be inspired to join their ranks and continue their legacy, and that the love with which God wants to shepherd and guide the whole world will be kindled always through the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.