Sister Ann Dailey, O.Carm.

I have been a Carmelite Sister for the Aged and Infirm for 61 years. At the age of 18 years of age I entered the Congregation at St. Patrick’s Home in the Bronx, New York on September 8, 1963. I was born in Washington DC and raised In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am presently stationed in West Palm Beach, Florida. I am a Nurse and have worked in different capacities through these many years with the Residents and I remain committed to both the care of the Residents and to my Carmelite vocation of prayer.

The call that led up to this moment started when I was 10 years of age. It was a moment in time and I cannot recall exactly how it came about but I knew that I wanted to be a Sister. From that moment on, my life was directed to this goal. As I reflected on the goal, I first thought God was calling me to enter a cloistered Carmelite convent. I remember going to visit the Blessed Sacrament often after school. One day when I was making a visit I saw a Sister in front of Our Lady’s altar praying and I knew that I wanted to know what she knew about praying.

As the years passed I realized that the cloister was not necessarily for me. I did not want to teach but wanted to give service. I thought about being a Medical Missionary. However, I did not feel called to missionary work and I considered taking care of lepers but discovered they did not have any in the United States.

I used to watch Fulton J. Sheen every week faithfully and finally wrote to the Propagation of the Faith who apparently contacted my high school Chaplain. I was referred to Sacred Heart Manor, a facility served by the Carmelite Sisters. I went to visit the home at age 15 and when I arrived a young woman gave me a Resident to feed without any preparation. I panicked but God has his ways!

I belonged to the orchestra, played a violin and I joined the Mission club and the Future Nurses Club at my high school. At all three groups I met Peggy and Mary who volunteered at Sacred Heart Manor and were entering the Carmelite Sisters the following September. By the way, all three of us were also from the same parish. We became very friendly but I never told them about my first encounter. So when I thought they were working elsewhere that summer, I went back to Sacred Heart Manor.

Who did I meet at the front door? Mary, and of course and from then on I was on my way. The Sisters’ friendliness and joyful spirit enticed me and I met other girls who would enter just like me. Also I was happy that it was a Carmelite community because I did feel drawn to that spirituality.

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