Letting God Set the Pace

“Be diligent in serving the poor. Love the poor, honor them, my children, as you would honor Christ Himself.”

St. Louise de Marillac

By Angela Anno, Associate

In the fall of 2024, SC Associate Karen Elliott, C.PP.S., made a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

In the midst of a busy life of ministry last fall, Associate S. Karen Elliott, C.PP.S, felt a quiet invitation from God—to pause, pray more deeply, and enter a time of spiritual discernment. Walking a portion of the Camino de Santiago in Spain became the sacred space where that invitation was answered.

“It was an experience of deep intimacy with God,” she said. “I became aware of God in a bud bursting forth from the earth, the picturesque landscapes, the warmth of the sun, the cooling breeze, even the pouring rain. I found myself delighting in the experience of what each day brought. I could feel the energy of all the people who had walked before me and with me … I almost don’t have words to explain its depth.”

Together with her friend, S. Margo—also a Precious Blood Sister—they started each day around 7 a.m. with breakfast and let God unfold the day for them. “We didn’t push ourselves,” she said. “This gave us freedom to be present to the day. We went on God’s time. It allowed us to live in the moment and the experience.”

Though pilgrims came from many countries and faith traditions, a sense of unity emerged along the way. “It was like a United Nations of Spirituality,” S. Karen said. “We walked alone or with those we met along the way, offering help when we could.” She herself received such kindness during a downpour when her shoes fell apart. “A woman we didn’t know stopped and wrapped my shoe with tape so I could continue. Acts of kindness like that were common. Thankfully, I had brought another pair for the rest of the journey.”

A highlight of the Camino experience was being able to offer a reading at the Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of St. James – before a crowd of more than 3,000 people. “It was a profoundly meaningful experience. I have no words for it,” she said.

She brings the fruits of the experience back to her ministries and to her involvement as an Associate of the Sisters of Charity. S. Karen sees God’s hand at work leading her to close involvement with the Sisters of Charity while remaining committed to her vocation as a Sister of the Precious Blood.

A native of Dayton, S. Karen is the only girl in a family of four children. Her parents’ deep and active faith left a lasting impression on her. “It wasn’t just about taking us to Mass,” she recalled. “They lived their faith in everyday interactions with others.” They instilled in her the values of integrity and social justice. Her father once took her to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak, telling her that King would one day be recognized as a great American. When John F. Kennedy was elected president, a young Karen experienced the sting of prejudice while visiting a friend whose family was Methodist. The mother told her, “I don’t like Catholics. Go home.” Hurt and confused, she turned to her mother, who gently explained, “Prejudice is being down on what you’re not up on.” Her parents quietly and consistently showed her the way.

After college—where she excelled in both academics and athletics—S. Karen felt the call to religious life. She chose the Sisters of the Precious Blood for their wide-ranging ministries and focus on spirituality and presence. It was during her intercommunity novitiate, held in part at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse, that she first encountered the SC Community.

Following her profession of vows and the completion of a doctorate in theology, S. Karen served in numerous roles: teacher, junior high and campus youth minister, director of religious education, athletic director, and instructor of lay ministry and diaconate formation for the Diocese of Toledo.

God reconnected her with the Sisters of Charity in 1982, when S. Barbara Davis invited her to teach at St. Michael in Findlay, Ohio. The two have been companions in mission ever since, each living out their unique congregational charisms. For S. Karen, being both a Precious Blood Sister and an SC Associate has been a source of spiritual richness.

Today, S. Karen is discerning her lifetime commitment as an Associate. She’s holds a deep love for Mother Seton and a deep admiration for Mother Margaret George, and she is now accompanying two women on their journey to becoming Associates.

Where will God lead her next? S. Karen is at peace, trusting God to reveal the next faithful step in her journey.

The presence of the other pilgrims along the Camino created a sense of unity for S. Karen Elliott.

A highlight of the pilgrimage for S. Karen was having the opportunity to do a reading during the Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of St. James.

As part of her preparation to make a lifetime commitment as an Associate in Mission, (from left) S. Karen Elliott journeyed to Emmitsburg, Maryland, for a pilgrimage with S. Barbara Davis and Associate Carolyn Davis.

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