More than 120 priests, sisters and brothers from religious communities who are celebrating milestone jubilees of their professions were honored Jan. 29 at the annual Mass for Religious Jubilarians at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

At the top of the list was Lovers of the Holy Cross Sister Mary John Tuat Dinh, 80 years of religious life, followed closely by Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Gregory Naddy, 75 years. 

Ten jubilarians --- nine sisters and one priest --- marked 70 years: Redemptorist Father Arthur Frost; St. Joseph of Carondelet Sisters Mary Dominic Chacon and Kathleen Marie Mahoney; Benedictine Sister Mary Bride Gormley; Providence Sisters Naomi Hurd and Mary Leona Miller; Carmelite Sister Dolores Rubio; Maryknoll Sister Pauline Mary Sticka; Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart Sister Hermine Jaschko; and Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Gabriel McCauley.

Celebrating 65 years were Salesian Brother Bruno De Pretto and Maryknoll Sister Kathleen Higgins. Another 43 religious marked 60 years, while 38 more observed 50 years.

Archbishop José Gomez presided at the event, coordinated by the Office of the Vicar for Women Religious. Concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishops Edward Clark, Thomas Curry, Alexander Salazar, Joseph Sartoris, Oscar Solis and Gerald Wilkerson.

During the Mass, the religious were invited to renew their vows “to live life following Christ in chastity, poverty and obedience.” The jubilarians further committed themselves “to serve the Church in the apostolate entrusted to my institute.”

In return, the assembly expressed their gratitude “for your many years of fidelity to our loving God and your service to God’s holy people. May the days of your lives yield a rich harvest of God’s blessings for you as you bring Christ to those whose lives you touch.”

The celebration also paid tribute to religious institutes celebrating milestone anniversaries of service in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California and the United States. They included the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 175 years of continuous service in the U.S.; the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 160 years in California; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, 100 years in California.

Also honored for continuous service in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles were the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians, 155 years); Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Maryknoll Sisters and Dominican Friars (90 years each); Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (70); Sisters of Notre Dame (as a Province, 50); Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation (30); and the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing (25).

The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose were recognized for 100 years of continuous service at San Gabriel Mission Elementary School. Anniversaries of foundation included the Presentation Sisters (125 years), Poor Clare Missionary Sisters (60) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters, Western Province, 25).

{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2012/0203/jubilarians/{/gallery}