It is no secret that immigrants have provided our nation with a strong and blessed support. Our Sisters who emigrated from central Europe have contributed mightily not only by their spiritual presence but also by the works they have performed in convents, parishes, schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly and by their very presence which has brought joy and comfort to all with whom they came into contact.
If my calculations are correct, fifty-one Sisters have come to the U. S. to live fruitful lives and to minister to people who always proved to be thankful for their presence.
The next Sister in the series is Sister Josaphat who immigrated to the U. S. from Kriviany, Slovakia, taking the religious name of one of the congregation’s special patron saints.
Sister Bernadette Marie Ondus, SSCM
Sister Josaphat
Sister Josaphat was born Veronica Gernat in Kriviany, Slovakia. As a teenager, Veronica worked in the post office there as an errand girl. Since the postmaster’s daughter was a Sister, she became acquainted with Sisters. When she saw a picture of a Sister, Veronica decided that this was the vocation she wished to follow. She had some doubts about achieving her goal, however, since it cost $200 to become a Sister and she was making only $10 a year.
When Veronica ‘s godfather was leaving for the U. S., he suggested to her family that perhaps one of their daughters would like to go along. Though it was the last thing she wanted to do, she managed to get ready in two days. Later she joined her two brothers in Bridgeport, CT. Although she found employment as a domestic and/or governess, she knew deep down that there was much more to life, recalling at the same time that she had once thought about becoming a Sister. She lived across from St. Cyril and Methodius Church and as Divine Providence decreed, happened to be in the rectory when Father Jankola died.
Of course, Veronica was acquainted with the SSCM’s missioned to St. Cyril’s and when they left for Middletown, PA, she was able to accompany them and remain a part of them. It was the beginning of a long life of service with the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, seventy-one years to be exact. “I was happy all the time,” she once said. “I loved the Sisters and I loved my work.”
When she was received as a novice, Mother Emmanuel granted her a special favor—reserving the name “Josaphat” especially for her. Although it is not known why Sister wanted Josaphat as her religious name, it is important to note that St. Josaphat is one of the congregation’s special patron saints. In 1983, a small booklet containing short biographies of our SSCM patrons was compiled, including that of Saint Josaphat. As archbishop of Polotzk, Josaphat worked untiringly for Church union and succeeded in uniting his diocese with Rome. A martyr for unity, he once declared, “I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of St. Peter and his successor the Supreme Pontiff.” Canonized in 1867, St. Josaphat is known as the Apostle and Protomartyr of Union. Since Father Jankola wanted the Sisters to pray for the return of Slav dissidents to unity with Rome, St. Josaphat was named one of the community patrons. No doubt Sister Josaphat was well aware of the need to pray for unity and thus chose his name.
On November 12, the feast day of St. Josaphat, our morning and evening prayers include the following intercessions to St. Josaphat:
A.M.—Father, in working for the unity of the Eastern Church with Rome, St. Josaphat imitated your Son, Jesus, by shedding his blood. Help us to work for the unity of all Christians.
P.M.—Father, through your Son you have commanded us to love one another. After the example of St. Josaphat and through our unity of heart and mind, heal the divisions among Christians.
Sister Josaphat ministered to the culinary needs of the Sisters in the local convents but also served in parishes as sacristan and made altar breads and cared for church linens.
Because Sister had cared for the children at the orphanage in Middletown, it was easy enough to extend special affection to a youngster who lived near the convent in Mount Carmel. She loved to see him press his nose against the screen door of the kitchen at St. John the Baptist Convent. Sister Josaphat knew what had brought him there. The delectable aroma of the cookies she had just baked or his need for a nap told him it was time to pay a visit to the convent where he knew he would find a special friend. When he was there, this friend even let him hand her the clothes pins as she hung the laundry out to dry. Though many years passed, he always had a special place in her heart and her prayers.
It was evident that Sister had a deep reverence for the priesthood and when her grand-nephew was ordained in 1980, she prayed fervently for him even though she was unable to attend the ordination because of poor health. The Very Rev. Joseph M. Stanichar, V. F., with whom she became acquainted in Yonkers, NY, invited her to his 25th ordination anniversary to the priesthood in St. John Chrysostom Greek Catholic Church in Seattle, WA. In one of his letters to Sister Clementia who wrote letters for Sister, Father wrote, “Sister Josaphat has made a lasting impression on my life as a quiet and reverent religious.” He also makes a brief mention of the cookies he received on occasion.
Sister learned early in life from her mother the importance of practicing generosity. Sister took to heart her instruction and showed herself generous in both prayer and labor. Her formula for happiness was “Peace is the result of serving God. Your peace will be in proportion to your generosity.”
Known always for her peaceful smile, she spent her retirement years at Maria Hall praying the rosary, playing Parcheesi and volunteering to be a member of the group of Sisters who helped the kitchen staff by doing the paring.
Sister Josaphat died on May 18, 1993, and her funeral was celebrated at Maria Hall on May 21. The homilist likened her life to a gem of mutual hospitality which is a hallmark of the members of Christ’s body. She was, he said, “a root in the soil of her community for 71 years and an example of humility with a halo.” He continued with a Scriptural reference, saying that “her life is a reminder of the widow’s mite unnoticed by everyone but Jesus.” He concluded with these words, “Her life invites all of us to concentrate not on how valuable we are but on how we are valuable.
The homilist’s words give us pause and underscore the purpose of the biographical sketches that have been appearing in the Jednota—to illustrate the countless ways that our immigrant Sisters have contributed to the congregation of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius and to the nation and its inhabitants. Their lives of prayer and service have benefited not only the people of parishes in the East and the Midwest but the youngsters in the parish schools as well as the elderly to whom the SSCM’s minister in their institutions, for instance, the Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community and Maria Hall.
Without the gifts the immigrant Sisters have contributed over the years the ministry of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius would be sadly diminished.
