Sr M. Paolina Beltrán Vargas
In the history of the Disciples of the Divine Master in Mexico, we recall September 20, 1952. This was the day that the first missionaries arrived. We also remember December 8, 1955, the day when the first 6 vocations arrived. They were courageous young women called by the Divine Master to begin our apostolic presence in Mexico. Among those who persevered were Sr. M. Paolina Beltrán Vargas and Sr. M. Agnes Vázquez Guillén. They were the first two voices who shared their story and responded to the invitation of Jesus the Master.
Sr. M. Paolina (Josefina) was born in Villa Morelos, Michoacán on May 29, 1939. She entered the Congregation on December 8, 1955. Following her postulancy, in 1958 she was sent to Rome to begin her novitiate and made her First Profession on March 25th 1959.
Thus, she became the first professed Mexican Pious Disciple from Mexico! On 25th March, 1964, she pronounced her total “yes” with her perpetual profession in Mexico City.
She was one of the first vocations that the Divine Master blessed our Congregation with in Mexico. Sr Paolina lived her discipleship fully, dedicating herself to the most diverse tasks: she was a formator, local superior, regional superior, coordinator of the CAL and participated in two General Chapters. As a young woman, she had the opportunity to develop her missionary spirit, first in Italy and then for 13 years in the CAL in Boston, USA.
From her memories, she shared that what had amazed her on her arrival among the Pious Disciples in Mexico was the immense love and joy that chacterised the sisters. They dedicated themselves completely and carried out the Eucharistic-priestly-liturgical mission even though they did not know the language.
She was enchanted to see how humbly they were able to live in obedience to the Founder and, at the same time, the hope with which these sisters looked to the future remained impressed in her heart. They joyfully promoted the search for and accompaniment of vocations, also involving the young women who had just entered the Congregation.
In an interview she gave when she celebrated 63 years of consecrated life, Sr. M. Paolina addressed a message to all the young women in formation. She shared these words of the Founder: “It is urgent for us to follow Jesus Christ the Way, Truth and Life, walking in his footsteps, listening to his doctrine, living in his love and his grace ” (D. Alberione). Just as Pope Francis encourages us to an ordinary holiness, reviving the gift received from the Lord and being commited with joy and a great sense of belonging to our beloved Congregation, we feel we must thank daily for the gift of our vocation and return to the essentials of our first love.
She wanted the sisters to know that “responding to our vocation as Pious Disciples is a gift from God, a grace and a mystery. We can always remain young in spirit, living the Word of God, the Eucharist, the Mission, in creative fidelity and, always in the joy of being consecrated. We testify that we have encountered Jesus and want to bring many souls to him. When our interior life is closed in on our interests, there is no more room for others, there are no more poor, enthusiasm for the good no longer beats in our hearts. Let us love our vocation more and more everyday, because it is the most beautiful in the Church.” (From an interview with Sr. M. Paolina).
Once, intrigued, we told her that when we saw her, we seemed to have in front of us a person who always lived fully and was very happy. What was the reason for such happiness?
“It is the person of the Divine Master, who called me, loved me, forgave me and continues to support me on my journey. I can also say that in my life the Beauty that saves, contemplates, encounters and promotes initiatives that are expressed in the mission, are all for the glory of God and the salvation of humanity.
It made me happy to feel deeply loved by my own family that the Lord hds given me, by the Pauline Family where I grew up corresponding to my vocation that I love so much, and by my sisters of the Congregation with whom I shared this wonderful gift. This is a joy that gives me life and impels me to always look ahead, with faith and trust in God’s Providence” (from an interview with Sr. M. Paolina).
Today Sr. M. Paolina lives in the Mother Thecla community of Guadalajara and collaborates in the center of Liturgical Apostolate. The sisters of the Province of Mexico are grateful to the Lord for the presence of this sister, especially for her fidelity and joyful witness in the total donation of herself to the vocation and mission of the Pddm in the Church. With her innovative ideas she is a person who always looks ahead with enthusiasm and deep faith in the Divine Master.