Today, August 15, is the Feast of Assumption. This day celebrates Mary’s Assumption, where both her body and soul are taken up to heaven by the power of God. It is Christ’s redemptive power realized for His Blessed Mother. “Mary’s feast reminds us that we are created for the glory of God and to be with God for all eternity. What we do during this celebration must respect the dignity of every human person and our celebration must mirror this reality.” [Holy Rosary Church, Cleveland, Ohio]
With these intentions in mind, a reflection by Maryknoll Sister Peg Kilduff on the Feast of Assumption struck a chord:
“Mary’s assumption into the definitive embrace of God also speaks of the reverence and respect we Christians have for all matter created as an instrument of the spirit in all of God’s creatures.
Today when entire populations living in poverty are so neglected, and their voices go unheeded, when the distribution of wealth in this globalized world ignores the time-honored principles of the church’s social doctrine (equal distribution, solidarity, attention to the common good of all peoples), not only the rights but the very lives of the people are sacrificed.
Today’s celebration is a call to all of us to remember the radicalism of Mary and her integrity. If we honor her ‘Magnificat,’ we need to denounce war as a means to solve problems; deforestation of our woodlands; devastation of our common home; rejection of people seeking entrance into our country. We must look closely at how our country is faring in promoting equality and justice for all. Our engagement lies there.”
Sr. Peg’s words ask us and challenge us to examine ourselves, as individuals and as a communal entity. Is what we are doing equal, fair, promoting justice? Are we showing reverence and respect to all of God’s creatures?
Now, let’s take a quick look at the writer of this reflection. Margaret (Peg) Mary Kilduff was born in Johnston, Rhode Island on July 15, 1932. She was one of eight children born to Edward and Mary Kilduff. After graduating from Xavier Academy in Providence, Rhode Island in 1950, Peg entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation later that year on September 6, 1950. Peg was a Maryknoll Sister for 70 years. To her, mission was a total way of life, which she describes as “committing [her]self to Be for and to Share Life with others.”
To provide you with a glimpse into her 70 years as a Maryknoll Sister, here are a few excerpts from her biography describing the work she did during her time in mission in Peru:
“From 1969 to 1974, Peg returned to the Department of Puno, where she served in the Rural Institute of the Prelature of Juli. Here she focused on community development and the education of young women from the rural areas. This institute was designed to give theoretical and practical courses in family, health, and rural education. Peg saw this service as invaluable in strengthening rural men and women in a sense of their own worth and dignity.”
“Returning to Lima in 1977, she joined the pastoral team of the Parish of San Cristobal in the marginal area of Caja de Agua where she worked for many years with Father Matias Sicbenaller, the local pastor. Because of the severe economic situation in Peru, many people from the countryside migrate to Lima, to carve out a new life in the desert. United with the pastoral team, she spent her days’ home visiting, strengthening bas Christian communities, and educating people in their basic human rights, focusing especially on the rights of workers, visiting prisons, and networking with lawyers.”
“The years of 1987 to 1997 were a time of increasing social unrest because of the terrorist activity throughout the country. To respond to this moment of fear, disappearances and assassinations, Peg assisted in building a network of communication through the organization of small libraries throughout the district.
From 1997 to 2007 she continued her Pastoral ministry in catechetics and in human rights, living in another marginal area of Lima, Peru, Pamplona Alta. At that time, the new Diocese of Lurin was being established. Besides her contribution to the family catechesis program, and the formation of lay leaders, she created a Communications Office for the Diocese.”
