ATLANTA—From Feb. 11-18 Sister Margarita Martin, ACJ, was among members of the religious order Ancillae Cordis Jesu, Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who met in Rome, Italy, for their first convention for their sisters in vocations ministry.

Sixty sisters represented the 23 countries where they serve God’s people. The charism of the order is fostering growth in the knowledge of God and wisdom of heart, inviting people to love, forgive and serve one another as Jesus did.

Throughout the seven days, the sisters shared about the perceived cultural, social and spiritual realities of young adults worldwide. General vocation directors from various orders gave talks. All participated and prepared fervent and colorful liturgies with the flavor of so many cultures represented in the group. The sisters prayed for the 150 women in formation worldwide and for the many other women in preliminary discernment they are accompanying. They also prayed that many more women join to share the deep richness of the ACJ charism in the church. Finally, all were sent forth “to be contagious” in the love of Jesus, who is the reason for their consecrated life, and to open wide their convents and facilities particularly to younger generations who are the promise and future of the church.

The ACJ sisters have been serving in the Atlanta Archdiocese since 1985 and this year they are celebrating their 75th anniversary of their ministry in the United States. For information, call (404) 636-5970 or visit the web site at www.acjusa.org.