Religious Milestones: Mercy Sister Mary Petrina Peters, 75 years

Blessed and grateful is the story of my life,” Mercy Sister Mary Petrina Peters said when reflecting upon her 75 years as a Sister of Mercy. Sister Petrina has lived out her life in dedication to her vocation by educating youth, helping the poor, and trying to see Christ in others.

She was born and raised in Atlantic City, where she lived half a block from St. Nicholas Church, School, and Convent, which was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy.

The fifth child of her loving mother, Lillian, and father, E. James, she was baptized Sarah, but called Sally. Her family, including seven brothers and sisters, encouraged Sister Petrina’s growth in her spiritual life. She has three generations of nieces and nephews.

Sister Petrina said she had the privilege of being taught by the Sisters of Mercy all of her life: eight year at St. Nicholas Grammar School, four years of Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, and later, Georgian Court College, now University. She completed her formal education at Seton Hall University, South Orange.

Sister Petrina was greatly influenced by the Mercy Sisters’ joy, dedication and love of the Lord. So, in 1948, she decided to enter their community after graduating high school. She chose the name Petrina, which she has kept to this day.

Sister Petrina entered with a “band of seven” women who became Sisters of Mercy upon graduating from high school. After her novitiate at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung, she spent 10 years teaching grades two, three, five and seven in the dioceses of Camden and Trenton. The schools at which Sister Petrina served included St. John’s School, Collingswood, St. Joseph School, East Trenton, St. Matthew the Apostle School, Edison, and Our Lady of Victories School, Sayreville.

She also taught at Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, then returned to Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung where she taught the tenth grade followed by several years spent in various occupations at the school. At some schools she taught English.

Sister Patrina truly enjoyed working with teenagers by supporting and encouraging them. They consulted her about concerns and questions, and she was glad to help them make decisions and form opinions.

In addition to her role as an educator, Sister Petrina has been an advocate for needy families in the local and international communities organizing food drives as well as getting donations of school supplies for students. “We do everything we can to help. We are so grateful for all the blessings we have,” she said.

With other religious, Sister Petrina has also participated in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. It is another way that shows how she cares about the defenseless and marginalized: the babies in the womb. Quiet as she was, she was never at a loss for words when an issue on which she had a strong opinion was raised.

Over the years, she has met the children of her former students. “I’ve had the joy of meeting students whose mothers I taught. Teaching has been such a wonderful experience.”

She draws strength and inspiration for her vocation from “the Blessed Mother, St. Theresa the Little Flower, who shows us the way, and patron, St. Peter, who helps with mishaps!” His words became her spiritual motto upon taking her vows 75 years ago, “Lord, thou knows that I love thee!”

“Now I reside at McAuley Health Care Center where my ministry includes being a prayerful and supportive presence, along with loving and caring residents and staff,” she said. There, she added, everyone enjoys her playfulness, humor and gift of friendship.

For those considering a vocation to religious life, she advises, “Pray, spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and speak to a religious with your concerns and questions.”