Josefina was oldest of three sisters, and was very close to them and very fond of her niece and three nephews. Her sister Margarita said she was a wonderful example for her and her sister Nellie.
Sister Josefina became a postulant in the Missionary Servants on August 5, 1966. She entered novitiate on August 14, 1967 and received the name Sister Josefina Maria of Jesus. On August 15, 1968, Fina made her first vows and on March 25, 1974, her final vows. From entrance to final vows, at each request she said, “If it is God’s will”.
When Fina was 17, her parents and sisters moved to Brooklyn, NY.
Fina’s first mission as a professed Sister was in Lorain, Ohio. But that was not the beginning of her missionary life. She came to us imbued with a missionary spirit. In requesting entrance to the Community, Fina wrote, “I am very active in La Monserrate Chapel, the chapel where I worship. I belong to the Daughters of Mary Society where I have a number of responsibilities such as secretary and treasurer. I am also in charge of Catechism classes. Every day two of us visit a home where children have been gathered and classes are given to prepare these children for First Communion. I also belong to the Legion of Mary Society in St. Ambrose’s Church in Brooklyn. Along with this, Fina also worked to help support herself and her family.
This was, you could say, a preview of Fina’s MSBT life to come. Most of her missions were in religious education and pastoral ministry. In fact, up until her illness, among other works, Fina was a spiritual director for the Legion of Mary.
Fina had a great foundation for life as a Missionary Servant of the Most Blessed Trinity.
Fina’s missionary spirit took her to many places in both the United States and Puerto Rico.
From Lorain, Ohio Fina went to Rockford IL, then back to Lorain. She spent five years in East Los Angeles, with our ST bothers. After that, she spent almost seven years in Puerto Rico in vocation/formation ministry. That was followed by her ministry at San Miguel Parish in Mayaguez and later, as the DRE at the Cathedral Parish in Mayaguez. PR. In 2014, Fina returned to Philadelphia and worked in Hispanic Ministry in South Philadelphia at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, a multi-cultural parish. Fina loved the diversity of this parish and found it most enriching. In 2017, Fina became part of our corporate ministry in Barrington, NJ. For most of her first year, she continued to commute to St. Thomas Aquinas. She then was drawn into ministries at St. Joachim and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in the Camden Diocese where she assisted with the OICA and catechetical programs, home visiting and spiritual direction. She was also the spiritual guide for the Legion of Mary. Almost full circle!
In her formation, her formators described her as intelligent and a good student. She received a Bachelors Degree from St. Francis College in Loretto, PA and a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Fordham University in NY. They also said she was quite industrious. Never one to waste a minute, even while waiting for a doctor’s appointment, out came the needle and thread!
Fina was most grateful for her vocation to be a Missionary Servant of the Most Blessed Trinity. She loved the Community, and served in many ways including being a local custodian several times. Many families in South Philadelphia will remember the Summers she accompanied them at Trinita. She was also very dedicated to the Missionary Cenacle Family. One of the last things Fina did this past Summer was to help prepare for and work with the Missionary Cenacle Spiritual Exercises.
Her joyful, enthusiastic spirit and above all, her great love for God touched anyone who met her. She loved to praise God in song.
Sister Josefina of Jesus, you fought the good fight. You were a valiant missionary to the end. As you abandoned yourself to God’s will, one last time, even in your dying you inspired us. You showed us again what St. Teresa of Jesus proclaimed, “God alone suffices. Solo Dios basta”. Gracias. May you rest in peace as you sing with the choirs of angels.