“There is no joy, there is no hope, there is no love, without the cross…
Let Christ be your solace, your model and your support.”
— Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa
On March 19, 1915, Sister Angeline was professed, and assigned as a Little Sister of the Poor to the Community in Brooklyn, NY. The Atlantic was a perilous battleground, with the tragic sinking of the “Lusitania” still fresh in memory when she set sail on the ship “The New York” on October 15, 1915; she arrived safely in New York City on October 31.
Over time she felt that the focus of her order exclusively on the destitute, was neglecting elders of all social classes. With the encouragement of Cardinal Hayes, she started a new congregation. In 1931 this congregation was recognized as the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. “Our Apostolate is not only to staff and operate up to date Homes for the Aged. As religious, it is to bring Christ to every old person under our care. Bringing Christ means giving them His compassion, His interest, His loving care, His warmth – morning, noon, and night!”
A meaningful parallel emerges between Mother’s faith-filled path and the Jubilee Year of Hope. The logo of the 2025 Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope represents unity, faith, and hope with four figures, symbolizing humanity, embracing each other.
The leading figure holds the cross, showing faith and hope. The waves below them represent life’s struggles. The cross extends into an anchor, symbolizing stability in tough times. The journey is shared, moving together toward the cross, which reaches out to humanity.
Mother Angeline is beautifully described in the booklet “Mother to the Aged and Infirm” by Rev. Redemptus Maria Valabek, O.Carm.: “Genuinely holy people are revolutionaries. They take the Gospel seriously…and they are so overwhelmed by the personality of Jesus Christ that they strive to make Him present in their world, no matter what the sacrifice.”