In the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception we, the family of Sion at Ein Karem, celebrated the diamond jubilee of Sr. Bernadette Marie – one of our Notre Dame de Sion Contemplative Sisters. We had a lovely Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Carlos NDS in the Contemplative Sisters’ chapel. Sr. Bernadette Maries shared memories of her first vows of about 60 years ago and renewed them in her heart forever, following Jesus in Mary. Mary is an example for us in religious life, her full belonging and total dedication to God (“Behold the handmaid of the Lord”), is a sublime example of perfect consecration. Chosen by the Father, who wanted to fulfill the mystery of the Incarnation, it reminds religious that the initiative always comes from God: as the Apostle John recalls: “Love consists in the following: it was not we who loved God, but He who first loved us and sent us his Son.” Mary appears as a welcome model of the grace for religious, who are called by grace to be witnesses of …