There, in a many-windowed room, with its view of Mission Bay, the sisters sewed chasubles, stoles, surplices, altar linens and, in 1980, robes for eucharistic ministers. Orders for these came not only from Catholic churches, but from Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Orthodox as well. With the closing of the San Diego monastery in 1992, the vestment-making was transferred to our Tucson monastery. Here, in a large, well-equipped room, the staff of the congregation's Vestment Department carry on the long tradition of fine sewing for the Church. They make chasubles, stoles, banners, altar linens, albs, funeral palls and, increasingly, albs and dalmatics for deacons.
Busy pastors come to order vestments.
The deacons' wives accompany their husbands to choose colors and make sure of a good fit. Friends come to buy gifts for ordinations. Altar societies come to order linens for their church. The sisters are proud of their work, continuing a tradition that our pioneer sisters brought with them from Europe. They appreciate the glowing comments of satisfied patrons who return to order more.