PAX Christi sisters

Under the direction of Bishop Thomas J. Drury, Mother Teresa Santoya founded the Pax Christi Sisters in the Diocese of Corpus Christi on July 19, 1969. The order was initially named the Society of Christian Social Service.  

Mother Teresa and the sisters who joined her were originally members of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor, a religious congregation founded in Mexico.  Mother Teresa had served in this congregation for 21 years, and during that time she demonstrated her love and compassion for the poor, especially for those closest to her–the children she cared for in a Laredo, Texas orphanage.

On Nov. 3, 1968, while living in an orphanage in Laredo, Mother Teresa was faced with the challenge of changing her status as a religious.  Providence intervened and that afternoon, the bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi was in Laredo, and Mother Teresa and a contingent of her religious sisters met with him and with the dean of Laredo to discuss their situation. The result of the meeting was the birth of a new religious community of which Mother Teresa was the founding superior.     

The members of the budding community were invited by Bishop Drury to come to Corpus Christi, which they did in the first week of January 1969. On July 19, 1969, they signed the statement of the dispensation from their vows in their original community and immediately afterwards, in the presence of Bishop Drury, they professed the first vows of their new religious community which would be known as the Society of Christian Social Service.

On Nov. 3, 1982, Bishop Drury responded positively to the formal petition of the sisters to be established as a new faith community and changed their title from Society of Christian Social Services to Pax Christi Institute. The charism of their community is described as contemplative/apostolic, through which they endeavor to serve as an enabling instrument of peace to the Pax Christi members in the pursuit of the attainment of perfect love–oneness with God.

Their spirituality is based on the Scriptural quote “As you, Father, are in me, and I in you, I pray that they may be one in us,” and the Pax Christi Prayer is voiced as “Jesus lives in me; I live in Jesus.  Jesus and I are one.”  Their ministry is to take the Good News of Jesus Christ–the peace of Christ–to all humankind.

The sisters see their apostolate as twofold.  Through their spiritual apostolate they endeavor to lead the people of God to a profound understanding of the Mass, even as, through sharing the Pax Christi spirituality, they endeavor to bring about the salvific love mission of Jesus, described in the words, “That all may be one.”   Through their apostolic apostolate they endeavor to share truth and love with all those whom they serve.

The Pax Christi Sisters endeavor to help those in very diverse needs. Food, clothing and shelter are often provided for those who do not have them.  From 1970 to 1982, they operated a residence for girls, within which the staff was committed to the attainment of the highest ideals in providing the very best toward achieving the spiritual, intellectual and physical development of needy children.  

In 1985, a new ministry began.  Vacant houses were purchased, remodeled and presented to families.  From 1985 to 2011, more than 40 houses were presented to those who needed them.

The sisters serve at Saint Mary’s Mission in Corpus Christi, provide vocation retreats and have a religious goods store which they find is a good source for counseling and evangelization.  At present, they are in the process of constructing a Pax Christi Liturgical Retreat Center.  The Sisters see the mission of this center as a commitment to strengthen the faith of the participants by sharing the values of the Pax Christi spirituality, especially “Oneness in the Lord,” and by creating a sacred place where Christ may be encountered and faith renewed.  

The Pax Christi Sisters have expanded their ministries beyond the limits of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Pax Christi Sisters now minister in San Antonio, in Brenham, Texas, the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia–where they have their house of studies, the Bronx, New York and in two Mexican dioceses, Querétaro and Michoacán.  As of August 2011, two of their members are in Rome, participating in the Liturgy Program in Sant’Anselmo.

“With faith, hope and love, in oneness with Our Lord Jesus Christ, we continue our journey in prayerful service to God and to His Son, Jesus Christ, through His people,” a Pax Christi Sister said.