Mags Gargan
Sr Julie Buckley SMR had a successful career in nursing and a boyfriend who wanted to get married. She says becoming a religious sister was the last thing on her mind and yet she joined the Marie Réparatrice Sisters in 1991 and has “never regretted one minute”.
The Marie Réparatrice Sisters were founded in the 19th Century by Emilie d’Oultremont. Today they are present in 23 countries across the world, dedicated to helping the those in need by prayer, accompaniment, catechesis, retreats, and all forms of presence which help people’s growth at a human and faith level. The Eucharist is at the heart of each community, where it is celebrated, adored and lived in faith.
“We are known as the Reparation Sisters in the south,” Sr Julie explains. “Our main thrust is that we are called to reveal the tenderness of Gods’ love for the world. Jesus is the first repairer and we are called to try to show that love and make Jesus and Mary known and loved everywhere.
“Our ministries are quite varied. Traditionally it was mainly spiritual accompaniment, retreat work and parish ministry, but now in Britain and Ireland we are in health care, social work and hospital chaplaincy. In Latin America and Africa it would also be education, religious formation and preparing adults and children for the sacraments.”
Sr Julie herself was head chaplain at Temple Street Children’s Hospital but she has taken two years out to work on the congregation’s leadership team. She first came across the Reparation Sisters in her home parish of Ballinlough in Cork city, where a sister was working with young adults and Julie saw something in her “that I couldn’t describe”.
She was introduced to the life story of Emilie d’Oultremont and found her inspiring. “Emilie was a fantastic, feisty lady and I found her story so inspiring. I could identify with her and saw some of her characteristics in myself.”
Sr Julie says although she had a good life “there was an emptiness I could not fill”. “I wasn’t practising for a few years and yet when I went back everything made complete sense. It was like the scales fell from my eyes and I though how could I not see this before,” she says.
She entered the congregation at the age of 28 and has “never regretted one minute”. “It wasn’t easy all the way but I don’t know anyone who has an easy life. I am very happy with my life and I wouldn’t change it or go back. I have had various ministries in my life time, there is great variety and opportunities to travel and meet people from different realities,” she says.
Sr Julie thinks God is still calling people to religious vocations, but people are finding it hard to hear that call because of the frantic pace of modern life.
“There are so many other noises and voices, and so much hyperactivity that people haven’t time to be still. I know from my own work life that I was one of those people. They are busy and stressed and are not tuned in to God.”
Sr Julie also feels that people may have an outdated image of what religious life is and it is up to the congregations to promote the vibrancy and relevance of their work.
“I think religious life is a very viable option and there are women out there who would consider it. They are maybe a little older nowadays, maybe independent, professional women who are still searching for something. There are so many people searching for meaning and they don’t know how to translate that into the next step.”
Sisters of Marie Reparatrice www.smr.org