Sister Marian touched the lives of many children and their families

Sister Marian Bradley

"I am very grateful to God for the 60 blessed years given to me as a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament,” Sister Marian Bradley said on occasion of her 60th jubilee celebration. “What a joy it is to serve the Lord and His people.”

Sister Marian was born Helen Frances in the Bronx, New York. She was the seventh of eight children born to Patrick and Margaret O’Callaghan Bradley.

Across the street from the Bradley residence was St. Luke parish, where Sister Marian was baptized into the Catholic faith. The parish became an integral part of their lives. It is where she attended elementary school and received the sacraments of the Church. Sister Marian credits the nuns at St. Luke, in addition to her teachers, for being a great influence in her life.

On Aug. 14, 1953, one month shy of her 15th birthday, Helen Frances Bradley came to Corpus Christi to join the Incarnate Word Convent. Two of her siblings, Sister Margaret Patrice Bradley and Sister Christina Bradley, who had entered seven years earlier, and two cousins, Sister Noreen Begley and Sister Camelia Herlihy, welcomed her to the convent, which would be her home for decades. Sister Marian was reunited, at the same time, with her great aunt, Mother Antoinette Begley, who had always been an influence in her life. She professed first vows on June 4, 1955, and perpetual vows Aug. 14, 1960.

In 1954, Sister Marian had her first classroom experience as a novice teacher. A new kindergarten and nursery wing was built at Incarnate Word Academy in 1955, and it was there that Sister Marian taught her first preschool class.

“There were few tools and supplies with which to work in teaching during those days–a chalk board, chalk, pencils and paper. One relied on her God-given talents, making posters or teaching aids. There were no classroom assistants or custodians, and the open window was the air conditioner,” Sister Marian said.

She taught for 57 years in schools in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Brownsville and Laredo. In 1983, she began to study and teach the Montessori Method at Incarnate Word Academy, where she ministered for 27 years.

Within that time span, Sister Marian compiled a combined phonics and math program, titled “Sounds and Numbers,” best used with the materials in a Montessori setting for children, ages four, five and six. She developed several learning tools, having authored 23 reading booklets with comprehension worksheets. This material has copyright status, and is still in use by teachers and students in the Montessori program.

Though Sister Marian retired from formal teaching a few years ago, her influence still permeates the Montessori classrooms. She has influenced and touched the lives of many children and their families.

Sister Marian is also an artist.

“She is able to produce a beautiful painting from scratch,” Sister Mary Anne Pagano said.
One of her velvet paintings of the Infant Incarnate Word hangs in the front office of the motherhouse. She has done paintings on cloth, depicting Bible stories for her Montessori students.

“Throughout her years of consecrated life, Sister Marian has used her creative abilities in a variety of ways,” Sister Judith Marie Saenz said. “Whether it was teaching Montessori, creating a bulletin board display or even writing her own math book, she found ways to touch the lives of those with whom and to whom she ministered. Her goal has always been to enable others to understand how much God loves each person. As sacristan at the Motherhouse, Sister Marian continues to use her artistic talents as she faithfully prepares the liturgical space in the chapel.”

Sister Marian has been involved in service on various commissions and committees of the congregation. She was assigned for a period of time to the position of sister-in-charge at the Incarnate Word Motherhouse in Corpus Christi. In 2010, after retiring from the teaching ministry, Sister Marian was assigned as sacristan in the motherhouse chapel. She engages in other duties as well, in service to the Incarnate Word and to the community.

“I am grateful to each person who has been an important part of these 60 years. May the Incarnate Word guide us as we continue to serve him and to support one another in our common quest,” Sister Marian said.