Maria Anna Dela Paz Professes Final Vows with the Sisters of St. Francis
Sister Maria Anna Dela Paz professed her final vows (perpetual profession) as a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia on August 11, 2024—on the Feast of St. Clare—at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pennsylvania. In front of the more than 200 gathered in person and over livestream, Sister Maria (Peaches) dedicated herself freely and unreservedly through the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, according to the Rule and Life of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and the Constitutions of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia all the days of her life.
Born in Manila, Philippines, to Stan and Maria Dela Paz, Maria grew up in New Jersey, where she was a member of St. Anthony Parish in East Windsor and a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ. She entered the candidacy program in 2016 and the novitiate a year later. She credits her time with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for sparking her interest in religious life. “It opened my eyes to living in an intentional community, living simply, and working towards social justice,” she said. “This passion to work towards social justice, combined with my desire to live in an intentional, faith community brought me to discern religious life.” She joined the Volunteer Corps after graduating summa cum laude from Saint Peter’s University.
During the novitiate, Sister Maria volunteered at Neumann University in Aston, PA, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in south Philly, and the Bayard House in Wilmington, Delaware. After her first profession, she began working at the University of San Diego as the program coordinator for the Center of Student Success. Sr. Maria is also an active member of Giving Voice, a peer-led organization that creates space for younger women religious to give voice to their hopes, dreams, and challenges in religious life. Sister Maria wrote of this community stating, “the Giving Voice sisters lovingly welcomed me, accepted me completely, and listened to the questions and dreams that I had about the future of religious life.” Many of her Jesuit Volunteer Corps friends and Giving Voice sisters attended her final vow ceremony and cried tears of joy. Sister Maria recently left her role of associate university minister at the University of San Diego to pursue full-time graduate studies at Loyola University in Chicago.
Filled with trust in the goodness of God, Sister Maria Anna, moves forward into the future of God’s promise as a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Interested in becoming a sister? The congregation welcomes new members. Visit our website, www.osfphila.org/become-a-sister, to learn more
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