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Incarnate
Word
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Charism
We, the Sisters of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, are women of the church who, in our communal living, seek to focus on the person of the Incarnate Word through adoration, witness, and the extension of the Eucharist by service to others in a spirit of charity and simplicity.
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OVISS Guiding Statement
We, Sisters of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, are called to be authentic, contemplative women and stewards of the earth, who bring a compassionate listening presence to our world by standing in solidarity with the voiceless, the vulnerable, those affected by violence, and those hungering for spiritual and moral witness.
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Mission Statement
Our Mission as Sisters of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament is to extend the Incarnation in today's world by living the gospel of love, proclaiming the good news and building the kingdom of God.
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OVISS-Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament
The Sisters of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Victoria recently joined other congregations worldwide to become an international order. Instead of the initials IWBS, they will now use the initials OVISS, representing the Latin words Ordo Verbi Incarnati et Sanctissimi Sacramenti. According to Sister Kathleen Goike, “We leave our identity as a ‘congregation’ with its limited relationships, and identify as an ‘order’ with its broader view originally designed by our foundress, Venerable Jeanne de Matel. We are currently referred to as the Victoria Delegation until January 2024 when we along with Corpus Christi, as well as Sisters in Chula Vista and El Centro, California, and Tijuana and Monterrey, Mexico will form a 'region' -- one of five in the Western Hemisphere.”
CLICK HERE: ORDER OF THE INCARNATE WORD AND BLESSED SACRAMENT FACEBOOK LINK
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 26Month View April 26, 202627Month View April 27, 202628Month View April 28, 202629Memorial DayMonth View April 29, 2026-
Read MoreWednesday, April 29
30Month View April 30, 20261St. Joseph the WorkerMonth View May 1, 2026-
Read MoreFriday, May 1
2St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church1:00p Mother Daughter Tea Party with SistersMonth View May 2, 2026-
Read MoreSaturday, May 2
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Saturday, May 2, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Please join us for a Mother-Daughter Tea Party with Sisters. For girls 5th - 8th grade and their mothers. What to expect: Tea & sweet treats + Fellowship & fun + Time with the Sisters + A beautiful afternoon together. Please register by April 27, 2026. For more information, please email sister.mariadelrosario@gmail.com or call 361.575.7111.Read More
3Month View May 3, 202647:00p Prayer GroupMonth View May 4, 2026-
Monday, May 4, 7:00 PMAll our invited to the prayer group. Call IWBS Convent (361) 575-7111 for more details.Read More
5Month View May 5, 20266Month View May 6, 20267Month View May 7, 20268Month View May 8, 2026910:00 Silent Guided Retreat - "Visio Divina - Praying with Images of Mary, Mother of Hope."Month View May 9, 2026-
Saturday, May 9, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Visio divina is a form of prayer inviting us to encounter the divine through images. Experience the divine in a unique and powerful way by reflecting and interacting prayerfully with a photograph, an icon, a work of art or another visual representation. Come and be guided by Sister Maria del Rosario Resendez, OVISS in this form of prayer.Read More
10Sister Maria Goretti Warzecha -BirthdayMother's DayMonth View May 10, 2026117:00p Prayer GroupMonth View May 11, 2026-
Monday, May 11, 7:00 PMAll our invited to the prayer group. Call IWBS Convent (361) 575-7111 for more details.Read More
12Sts. Nereus and Achilleus Martyrs St. Pancras, MartyrMonth View May 12, 2026-
Read MoreTuesday, May 12
13Our Lady of FatimaSr. Mildred Truchard - BirthdayMonth View May 13, 202614St. Matthias, ApostleSr. Marilyn Springs - Feast DayMonth View May 14, 202615St. IsidoreMonth View May 15, 2026-
Read MoreFriday, May 15
16Month View May 16, 202617The Ascension of the LordSr. Paschaline Kutac - Feast DayMonth View May 17, 202618St. John I, Pope and Martyr7:00p Prayer GroupMonth View May 18, 202619Month View May 19, 202620St. Bernardine of Siena, PriestMonth View May 20, 2026-
Read MoreWednesday, May 20
21St. Christonpher Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, MartyrsSr. Anna Marie Popp - BirthdaySr. Donna Bonorden - BirthdayMonth View May 21, 202622St. Rita of Cascia, ReligiousMonth View May 22, 2026-
Read MoreFriday, May 22
23Month View May 23, 202624Sr. Mary Jean Bludau - Feast DayPentecost SundayMonth View May 24, 202625The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the ChurchMemorial Day7:00p Prayer GroupMonth View May 25, 202626St. Philip Neri, PriestMonth View May 26, 2026-
Read MoreTuesday, May 26
27Month View May 27, 202628Month View May 28, 202629Month View May 29, 202630Month View May 30, 202631Sister Mary Beth Cernoch - Feast DayThe Solemnity of the Most Holy TrinityFeast of the VisitationMonth View May 31, 202617:00p Prayer GroupMonth View June 1, 2026-
Monday, June 1, 7:00 PMAll our invited to the prayer group. Call IWBS Convent (361) 575-7111 for more details.Read More
2Month View June 2, 20263Month View June 3, 20264Month View June 4, 20265Month View June 5, 20266Month View June 6, 2026 -
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Today's Readings / Lecturas Del Día
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OVISS ASSOCIATES
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History of the OVISS Associates
The Associates of the Incarnate Word of Victoria, Texas, traces its official provision to the recommendation of the Ninth General Chapter of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Victoria in June 1988. The laity and diocesan clergy became closely associated with the Sisters.Sister M. Emiliana Grafe was appointed to serve as director of the Associates of the Incarnate Word; she served as director from June 1988 through December 2024.The current director is Sister Stephanie Marie Martinez, assisted by Sister Lois Marie Etzler and Sister Colette Kouba. Valerie Jurica, OVISS Associate Member, serves as the assistant.
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Formation of an OVISS Associate• Prospective Associates begin by attending monthly instruction, faith-sharing, and prayersessions to better understand the way of life of an OVISS Associate. They spend a full year in formation studying the life and legacy of Mother Jeanne de Matel, their foundress, and Incarnational spirituality, which she handed on to her followers.• A study of the long history of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament and its mission also facilitates an understanding of the charisma and spirit of Mother de Matel. The content of the presentations also focuses on the basic truths of the faith, Scripture, the Church, and its documents, which are incorporated in the yearly Formation Study.After the Prospective OVISS Associate completes their formation and has been accepted by the Community, they make an act of consecration for one year, to strive to live out the spiritual life of an OVISS Associate of the Incarnate Word. The consecration is renewed annually.
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What is an OVISS Associate?An OVISS ASSOCIATE is an individual who grows in the Incarnational Spirituality and extends the Incarnation of the Word:
- Is a peacemaker in a world wounded by conflicts, environmental destruction, violence against life and human dignity, and fundamentalist ideologies.
- It is a person who exercises the character that comes from Baptism, that is, giving hope, being hope.
- Is a person of synodality - listening to all, dialoguing with all, and discerning in the Holy Spirit what the mission is.
- Partners with the Sisters in ministry, praying with them, and assisting them with their needs.
An OVISS ASSOCIATES of the Incarnate Word, has the mission to EXTEND THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD, making the Kingdom of God present in the world. This is done by sharing joy and not by imposing obligations. Creative activities are born of love for the Word of God; creativity is born through prayer and discernment. And while personal creative action is good, communal creative action is better for the unity and strength of the Church.
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Become an OVISS Associate
Who can become Associates of the Incarnate Word?
Catholic Laypersons: men and women, married and single;
Diocesan priests and deacons.
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Safe Environment
If you witness, suspect, or know of child and/or vulnerable adult abuse, YOU MUST FILE A REPORT WITHIN 48 HOURS! In case of emergency, call 911!
REPORT ABUSE
Brenda Morales - IWBS Safe Environment Coordinator
You may contact her by phone at (361) 575.2266 or by e-mail at bmoralesiwc@gmail.com.
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