Sister Ruth Francis Devitt, CSJ

We celebrate the life of Sister Ruth Francis Devitt, a Sister of Saint Joseph for nearly seventy-seven years. Almost ninety five years ago, Ruth was born of Ruth and Francis Devitt in Brooklyn where she was educated and entered our congregation; open to doing whatever needed to be done. She received a BA from Manhattan College and an MA from St. John’s University both in history, and taught on the elementary and secondary levels. She also served as principal in Our Lady of Lourdes School, West Islip.

Always responsive to meeting the needs at hand, Ruth served in congregational leadership as a Regional Superior and Coordinator for Ministry. In all of her ministries, Ruth was attentive to others and a joy-filled, encouraging presence for anyone she served. She was able to be Christ’s presence to others because of her strong faith and trust in God’s unconditional love. Ruth experienced that love through her family and her life in community. She believed that nothing can separate us from God’s love and she now enjoys the fullness of that love with all who have gone before her.

The mission of our congregation is the mission of Jesus to bring all into union with God and one another. Ruth spent her life for the sake of others and she walked with her companions seeking to understand the mystery of God’s love. As a congregational woman, Ruth recognized the Spirit of God as the Spirit of communion with all of humanity and the whole of creation.
Sister Ruth Francis Devitt died on July 30, 2015 in the 77th year of her religious life.