Sister Maxima Cruz: A life of Devotion

Sister Maximina Cruz, MDPVM, always knew in her heart she would someday dedicate her life to God. But making that final step took many years of discernment, courage and introspection.

“It was the toughest decision of my life,” she said.

Born and raised in Taft, Texas to Cándido and María G. Cruz, Sister Maxie–as she prefers to be called–remembers her childhood with great fondness. She attended Catholic school with the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary, the order of sisters she continues to serve today. The youngest of 14 children, Sister Maxie said her parents were the foundation for her love of Christ and the Church.

“I was also blessed to go to school with sisters all my life and can say without hesitation they were my inspiration to enter the convent in service to our Lord,” she said.

But the decision to finally join did not come easy. Sister Maxie said she “fought the call” initially for years because she feared losing the close-knit bond with her family, especially her parents. She was 25-years-old and working in a drug store in Taft when she made the final decision to devote her life to the Church with the same sisters who practically helped raise her.

“I would do crazy things to test my faith,” Sister Maxie said with a chuckle. “One day I had to travel to Corpus Christi to attend a workshop. On the way back, just past the Harbor Bridge but before Portland, there was a long stretch of open road and I decided, ‘If I can reach 100 miles per hour right now in this car, a religious life is for me’ and wouldn’t you know it, I had a blowout!”

Eventually, it was a Cursillo that helped Sister Maxie realize it was time to make the most important decision of her life. At the time, she had already held every possible office in her parish: she was the President of CCD, Legion of Mary and Altar Society.

“The Cursillo gave me the courage I needed to finally leave home. It was tough for my parents to bear, after all, I was the baby of the family. But they both went to Cursillo too, and realized it was the right decision.”

Forty-seven years later, Sister Maxie is making history in Kingsville, as she not only serves one of the humblest neighborhoods in the city, but also paves the way to honor the foundress of her order, Venerable Mother Julia Navarrete.

Blessed John Paul II made Mother Julia Venerable in 2004. Even before then, Sister Maxie was diligently working on a chapel and museum to honor Venerable Mother Julia and her lifelong works.

“We actually started the process in 2001 with bake sales and various other fundraisers to purchase the land needed for our chapel and museum,” Sister Maxie said. “I believe this is the only way to honor Venerable Mother Julia, who will one day become a saint. It has been God’s will for me to carry out His work on this project.”

At age 74, Sister Maxie possesses more agility and energy than some half her age. She laughs off the comparison, saying it’s the Holy Spirit that carries her through.

“Doing God’s work is beautiful and very rewarding,” she said.

Maria Idalia Del Bosque, a lifelong Kingsville resident and parishioner at St. Martin of Tours, located just down the street from the chapel and museum, said Sister Maxie helps strengthen her faith daily.

“I’ve known Sister Maxie since I was four-years-old, when I started Catholic School. She was also my son’s teacher. Sister Maxie’s work with the needy and her tireless efforts with the museum is an inspiration. She also manages a thrift store next door to the chapel, where neighborhood residents can come and fill a huge basket filled with clothes for just $5. I feel so blessed to help carry out her mission.”

Sister Maxie’s dedication to honoring Venerable Mother Julia runs deep; she was with her the last five months of her life.

“I remember getting the call to go to Mexico and help Mother Julia,” she said. “I helped the doctors administer care. She was confined to a wheelchair, so I helped serve her meals. I was blessed to treat her wounds with my own hands.”

Venerable Mother Julia died on Nov. 22, 1974 at 93. Thanks to the efforts of Sister Maxie, the museum built in her honor, located at 408 East Richard Street in Kingsville, will open in early 2013. Visitors will see for themselves the sacrifices Venerable Mother Julia made for the people of Kingsville, under the most harsh and extreme circumstances.

“She was one of the first missionaries in Kingsville and when she first arrived, she came here with nothing,” Sister Maxie said. “She had been exiled from Mexico and the diocese of Corpus Christi invited her here to seek refuge. Eventually, she built up the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary to what we are today. A life so rich with service deserves to be venerated.”

As a sister who understands how difficult the decision to become a religious can be, especially in today’s challenging, fast-paced life, Sister Maxie offers advice for young people making the same discernment today.

“Go to our Blessed Mother and pray the Rosary. Remain faithful. Always invoke the Holy Spirit and Blessed Mother. Do not let temptations overtake you. Talk to your parish priest and talk to your family.”

Sister Maxie has words of advice for parents too.

“Children need a spiritual example. If they don’t have that, what are they going to do? They follow what they see. I would love to see families go back to being the spiritual center of a child’s life.”