Sr Regi John
"But we have this treasure in clay jars,
so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power
belongs to God and does not come from us."
The statement, “Maestra Tecla was one who never resisted the Holy Spirit” captures the essence of her life and leadership as the first Superior General of the Daughters of St Paul. It reflects her profound reliance on divine guidance and her openness to the will of God in all circumstances, even when it was difficult.
As I read and reflect on her life, I often think of two Bible verses that seem very relevant to her journey: John 1:37, “What are you looking for?” and John 18:4, “Whom are you looking for?” Her life was a continuous response to these questions of Jesus. I believe that anyone discerning a vocation can respond sincerely to these life-giving words of Jesus. When this is done honestly, the journey can become simple and meaningful, helping us through our ups and downs, especially when we must swim against the currents of life—something all of us, or at least some of us, will experience. Living in the house of the Lord is beautiful and meaningful because there is an invitation to come and live with Him.
When I look at Maestra Tecla’s life, I see a deeply challenging journey lived with extraordinary humility and simplicity. She did not outwardly reveal the depth of her interior life with Jesus, the Divine Master, and many who lived with her may not have fully grasped her resilience in suffering. Her life was far from easy at times and what was asked of her seemed humanly impossible. She was able to endure all this because her life was a continuous fiat to Jesus, the Divine Master—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—in whom she found both what and whom she was seeking. Like St Paul, she wrote to the Daughters of St Paul to encourage and support them, to pray for them, and ultimately to offer her own life for the good of the congregation. Her letters and writings reveal her warm, friendly, and truly motherly heart. I still look at Maestra Tecla’s photos with love and admiration. Her single-hearted spirit shone through her radiant face, and her universal heart embraced every person, culture, language, and custom.
Maestra Tecla often asked the sisters to write to her because she was genuinely interested in their lives and the situations they faced. Modern in her thinking, especially during the early years of the congregation, she was open to sharing her ideas and listening attentively, even with the younger sisters. One of our sisters once shared with me her experience of Maestra Tecla during the process of designing the religious habit of the Daughters of St Paul. She recalled Maestra Tecla’s attentive listening as they discerned which habit to adopt, describing her as deeply human and always ready to walk alongside her sisters. Her visits to the communities were both consoling and life-giving. Her non-judgmental acceptance of everyone enabled great healing and soothing graces for all in need.
Maestra Tecla died before I was born, yet I have had two very tangible experiences of her closeness. When I was a postulant, preparing for my final exams, my father died unexpectedly. I went home for the funeral and had to return to the convent within a week because of exams. It was a devastating experience. I felt empty and could not remember anything I had studied. Sr Giovannamaria Carrara, who was our Superior General at the time, asked me to entrust everything to Maestra Tecla. In my simplicity and helplessness, I told her that if I failed my exams, it would be a sign that the Lord did not want me in religious life and that I should not continue my formation. My results, however, were a great surprise—far beyond what I expected.
Another experience was when I was asked to go to Russia as a missionary. A few days before my departure, I felt a paralysing fear. I went to the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina degli Apostoli to pray, in the chapel where the tomb of Maestra Tecla lies. Many of my questions were answered—not all my problems were solved—but I found the strength to accept the challenges, knowing that she was, and continues to be, very close to me. Maestra Tecla, thank you for your life of grace and guidance, for your faith filled courageous ‘yes’ to God always. ❦
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