Sister Peggy Janicki - Woman of Faith

Introduction

Why does a person want to become a missionary in a foreign land?  What events in their life form them to make this decision?  How does a person become a missionary?  Over time, do the reasons change for why they want to be a missionary?  

What is the environment or conditions in which they live?  If they live in the jungle, what do they do for food, shelter, access to water, health care, etc.?  Is it safe?  How do they deal with "culture shock"?   

What do they like about this work?  What don't they like?  What helps them to persevere even in difficult times?  What are some of the challenges they have to face, and how do they overcome them?  If they decide to leave missionary work, what are their reasons for leaving?

These are some questions I've asked myself, when I reflect on my sister's life as a Maryknoll missionary sister;  She served in Latin America from the early 70's thru the late 80's.  

Letters

One way to partially answer these questions is to review the letters that Peggy wrote to me over a 20 year period.  I plan to share excerpts from these letters, so others can better understand her life and what drives a person to be a religious missionary. 

In these letters she describes her path to become a Maryknoll missionary, and the life she lived.  Her travels took her from Bolivia and Peru in South America, to Guatemala in Central America, and finally, to Mexico, where she lived and helped people in refugee camps    

Before Maryknoll

My sister Peggy (Margaret) Janicki (La Barbara) was born in 1947 in Madison, WI.  At the time, our parents owned a furniture store in the nearby village of Mazomanie.  Over  the next few years we lived in Hornbrook, CA, then Los Angeles, until our parents bought a house in Whittier, CA (a suburb or Los Angeles).   

We both grew up in Whittier, attending Catholic grammar and high schools.   Our parents were practicising Catholics - we attended weekly Mass - and they subscribed to a number of Catholic magazines; including the Maryknoll magazine (see above). 

Seeing this magazine was one reason my sister Peg decided to become a Maryknoll Sister, and be a missionary in a foreign land.  After Peggy graduated from St. Paul High School in 1964, she waited one year before entering the Maryknoll religious order.   This was a requirement of the order: Maryknoll wanted a person to seriously consider if they really wanted to enter religious life.  

 See below to continue Peggy's story;  including excerpts from letters sent by Peggy.    

In Maryknoll

A year later, in  the latter part of 1965, Peggy entered the Maryknoll novitiate in Valley Park, Missouri.  According to the history of the Maryknoll sisters, "As the Congregation grew, several novitiates were opened in Valley Park, Missouri (1947) ..."  

Prior to her move to Valley Park, in a letter dated October 3, 1965,  she states "Things are beginning to get a little hectic around here.  I still haven’t bought everything that I need, and the trunk is supposed to be sent out today.  Mom is still working on the bathrobe."

The next letter (dated January 30, 1966) was the first one Peggy sent from Valley Park.  She found a big difference in the weather compared to sunny California, where she had previously spent more of her life.  "Greetings from sunny, cold, Missouri.  Guess what - when it snows it also gets cold!  I guess if I want one I have to take the other.  Yesterday it was 9 below zero in the morning."   

She introduces us to life as a postulate: such as, "We have PE  once a week", and, more seriously, taking a class in scriptures: "we started last week - Scripture.  Doesn’t sound too exciting does it!  Strange as it seems, it is exciting!  You may think I’m gong nunnery on you, and maybe I am, but this course is really great"  

In her next letter (February 22, 1966) we learn more about her life at Valley Park.  The weather continued to be cold: "After the first big snow when we had eight inches, I went sledding."  

They celebrated Mardi Gras - "we all wear costumes, except for the professed."  She continues "wearing a fur hat (Russian style), big high black patent leather boots, a long black mustache and I will be carrying an American flag.  What am I?  I’m a Russian defector!" 

Her life was similiar to any other student attending college; "We are finished with Logic.  We had our exam Feb. 18," but,  "One thing that is lacking here is the great pressure for grades.  You are expected to try your hardest, but you aren’t supposed to overdo it."   She also had limited time for other activities: "...  I haven’t had too much time to play my guitar, but I am going to try and practice at least a couple of times a week."