A fellow first-year student at OLSWA shares the following reflections on Janine and Paul.  Their presence at OLSWA was a gift, and we want others to know more about these two special children of God.

Janine and Paul both faithfully wore the Scapular.

Janine had a strong will that gave her determination and perseverance. She wanted to learn everything she could, and took two electives as well as the Schola choir since January. She loved music – the piano, singing, and Gregorian chant.

Janine was modest and humble in her manners and dress. She loved God and had a spirit of sacrifice. No matter the weather, she walked to Mass every morning and went to the Church at 8:30 a.m. to pray morning prayer two days a week when Mass was in the evening.  She did the regular Academy chores and cleaned the three bathrooms in the Academy each day. I would often see her with rubber gloves on, a pail filled with cleaning supplies, a garbage bag in her hand, and a smile on her face.

When we visited the Valley Manner nursing home, she loved to visit with the residents. Janine had one lady praying for our pro-life group months before it came to be. Janine would bend over and hug and kiss the elderly who were too sick to move and talk.

Paul was full of laughter and optimism even though he knew suffering. He was also dedicated, in particular when he made the programs this January for the school play. He had to work a whole day – with the exception of an afternoon class – until the Academy had to be locked up at 11 p.m. Then he had a 20-minute walk home.  You would often see him doing his readings in the café.

Paul was very thorough in his work, and his thinking. If you asked him a question, you got a full, detailed story/explanation. He had a large vocabulary and articulated well.  He was special because there were no barriers between him and others, since he was so open to all. He was easy to please because he was happy to be alive. I remember the day he told me all about his family – his dad, mom, and him – for he was a miracle child himself. God has special plans for those who belong to him in such a special way.

Paul liked to sit in the front pew for Mass and had a gift for playing the djembe drum. He loved to sing for and to the Lord.

Both Paul and Janine had a daily surrender to God, to Christ, which was very remarkable. They both desired to live only for God in religious life, but now they have given their whole life to God in this unexpected way. In all the preceding events and circumstances, we can all see how God had prepared them for that moment.