Sr Marie Thérèse: A nun for all seasons

By Kaelanne Jordan

mediarelations.camsel@catholictt.org

A Mass of Thanksgiving for the Diamond Jubilee, marking 75 years of Religious Profession of Sr Marie Thérèse Rétout OP was held Emancipation Day, Thursday, August 1 at Holy Name Convent Chapel, Port of Spain. Sr Marie Thérèse, who is 102, is very likely the oldest Religious sister in the Archdiocese, if not the Caribbean region.

Originally from France, Sr Marie arrived in Trinidad February 9, 1952 and became a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago July 5, 1973.

The turning point in her professional life led her into a new world of journalism. She joined the staff of The Catholic News July 1, 1974 as Features writer/reporter and remained their Reporter-at-Large until 1991.

Sr Marie Thérèse made a name for herself as a reporter and journalist in her weekly series, Parish Beat, written for The Catholic News.  “She visited and wrote about every parish in the Archdiocese highlighting historical data but, even more importantly, the living, pastoral experiences in a post-Vatican II local Church with faces and interesting photos that made her stories alive” (Sister Marie Thérèse Retout OP, her story from France to Trinidad and Tobago as told to Rhona Simone Baptiste).

In her remarks, Sr Marie Thérèse spoke about coming to Trinidad as a young and newly professed Dominican Sister of the Congregation of St Catherine of Siena and the unexpected assignments she faced. She admitted she initially struggled and did not want to come to Trinidad, but her Superior reminded her of her vow of obedience. She also shared a touching story of an old man she baptised and gave his First Communion. He passed shortly after.

Archbishop Robert Rivas OP, in his homily, noted that it is not customary for Dominicans to live as long as Sr Marie Thérèse, adding that she has outlived the combined ages of St Catherine and St Dominic.

He commented that the history of the Dominican Sisters in Trinidad and Tobago is said to be full of drama. “From my knowledge of Sr Marie Thérèse I am certain that she has contributed to some of that drama,” he said.

Archbishop Rivas described Sr Marie Thérèse as a woman of excitement, zeal and humour.  He highlighted she came to Trinidad with a love for orphans but in the second phase of her life here she emerged as “a gifted writer”, creating a “spark” in the Church in Trinidad and Tobago.

“If Parish Beat was her gift to the local Church, her work of love, Called To Serve is her gift to her Congregation of St Catherine of Siena serving in Trinidad and Tobago for 126 years,” he said.

Highlighting that he has known Sr Marie Thérèse for most of his life as a priest and all his life as a Bishop, Archbishop Rivas said the only way he could try to describe her is “a Dominican to the bone!”

He pinpointed that they share something in common, as their call began on their First Communion Day at age seven, but their deeper bond is their Dominican identity.

He emphasised his great admiration for Sister and over the years has enjoyed her company.

“You were always so full of enthusiasm and joy in living your Dominican charism.  You always had a word of encouragement for your Dominican brothers,” Archbishop Rivas said.

He spoke of her support and solidarity with them in their efforts at integration and collaboration as Dominican Friars in the Caribbean.

“You shared our vision of hope, and your light still shines among us.  With a contemplative gaze you have looked upon the faces of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and learnt to share their anguish, struggles and their joy.”

He continued, “You are a nun for all seasons and an icon within your Dominican family…. What a day to celebrate a woman and a sister of ours who has been liberated by the truth – veritas,” Archbishop Rivas said.