Listen to your heart, God is showing you the way

Sister Rose Miriam Gansle, IWBS, baptized Mary Sylvia Gansle, daughter of Justus John and Sylvia Becker Gansle, was born on June 6, 1942, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Growing up she experienced an intense desire to be a religious sister, and was attracted to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, many of whom she knew well as they had been her teachers from pre-kinder through high school.

“I admired them and wanted to give my life to God as they did,” Sister Rose Miriam said, as she reflected upon her interest in the congregation.

She entered the congregation on Sept. 7, 1960, a few months after graduating from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi. After having spent time in the initial stage of religious life in the convent, Sister Rose Miriam received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and her religious name. She, with other young women in her group, professed first vows in June 1963, and made perpetual vows on Aug. 14, 1966.

Sister Rose Miriam taught in Catholic schools for 27 years, four of those years in Brownsville schools, two years at St. Gertrude School in Kingsville and several years at Cathedral, Sacred Heart, St. Patrick and St. Theresa schools in Corpus Christi. She also taught adult education classes at St. Pius X Parish.

One common thread has always run through her teaching experience–a musical thread that produced a tapestry of fine quality and beauty. Sister Rose Miriam sang in the Corpus Christi Chorale for eight years and has conducted choirs, both on high school and diocesan levels.

She was a member of the Corpus Christi Diocesan Liturgical Commission, and has held offices in the congregation, in Public Relations, Community Life and Apostolic Commissions, as well as those of Education, Vocation and Initial Formation. Sister Rose Miriam was appointed to a term of Sister-in-Charge at St. Patrick Convent in Corpus Christi, and she served as Secretary General of the Congregation for many years. She also served as codirector of the Incarnate Word Associates program with Associate Kay West.

“There were difficulties through the years, but much joy as well,” Sister Rose Miriam said as she reminisced upon the past 50 years. “Our living, sharing and praying together give me support, inspiration and strength. With the call to the vocation ministry, and to the ministries of teaching, initial formation, secretarial work, music and family, I have had countless opportunities for learning, meeting people and growing personally. The greatest blessing of all is growth in intimacy with God and being free to serve.”

Sister Rose Miriam encourages those who are discerning religious vocation to maintain a deep prayer life, to seek spiritual guidance, to visit religious communities, to get to know the members of those communities and to become acquainted with their way of life. She tells discerners, “Listen to your heart, to your family and friends and to the circumstances of your life. God is showing you the way; trust and celebrate each step in your discernment.”

In 2009, Sister Rose Miriam began ministry with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Cleveland, Ohio. She serves as secretary to the General Administration of the Incarnate Word Sisters in Parma Heights, and also secretary of the International Committee on Reconfiguration, representing a group of six congregations seeking unity among Incarnate Word Sisters.