For Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity this was no ordinary Easter Sunday celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. April 9, 2023 marked the 100th birthday of our Sister Cyrilla Jackels. Easter dinner included birthday cake and the traditional birthday tune for a jubilant celebrant. Sister is one known to be ever pleasant and grateful for God’s goodness and faithfulness in her life. Before the meal, she was asked to present the gift of bread at the Easter Sunday liturgy. All of the Sisters at the Motherhouse attended this Mass and specially prayed with her.
When she was born in 1923, Sister Cyrilla lived in the country on a side road off of Wisconsin Highway 55 in what was known as “Little Chicago”. The town included a dance hall, a tavern, and a supper club about 1/4 of a mile away from the Jackel’s 280 acre farm. Sister Cyrilla commented once: “At that time I did not know what “Big Chicago” was like.”
The family’s parish was St. Mary, Kaukauna. “I attended the new St. Mary School with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity from kindergarten through 8th grade. I learned much from my teacher, Sister Azarius Engledinger. Then I attended Kaukauna High School.”
Sister was born into a large family—10 in all; however, a brother and a set of twins died before Sister was four or five years old. Another sister, Agnes died before Sister Cyrilla entered the convent at age 18. Joy and sorrow were part of life. Her parents’ faith kept them together and they trusted in Jesus’ promise of resurrection for all their loved ones. The Easter message of hope has always been a source of strength.
How did this centenarian become a Franciscan Sister? Sister Cyrilla recounts, “In school the Sisters asked us to sort papers or other little jobs. Sister Anicetus Groessel did not actually help me to discern my vocation; however, her goodness led me to be one of them.”
Sister Cyrilla’s many happy memories of teaching included sports. When she was sent to Lima, Peru, baseball was initiated. “Can you imagine—they had never seen a bat and didn’t know how to use it. They soon learned what a foul ball, a grounder, and a fly were. They learned just three outs came fast at first.” Sister Cyrilla’s family life taught her the enjoyment of this past time.
She also spent years serving in the Community’s sponsored ministries in Wisconsin and Ohio. Her joyful spirit was ever contagious as she volunteered in many ways doing what needed to be done. Today, she is part of the prayer apostolate remembering daily the needs of St. Francis House of Prayer.
On this Easter Sunday, we thank the Lord for our Sister’s gift of life. With her, we pray for young women who are open to the Lord’s call to religious life, that they, too, may live long, selfless, joy-filled lives as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Cyrilla Jackels and Sister Maria Guadalupe Martinez Lopez enjoy a light-hearted moment of wearing festive Easter bonnets to the Community’s noon meal on Easter Sunday.
Article Comments:
Maria Gatjens 04/12/2023 @ 10:56 am
Sister Cyrilla. I was one of your students at Maria Reina School in Lima-Peru. I am so happy to see you and know that you turn 100 years old. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be with you while I was attending school. The same for my husband Eduardo Gatjens and my two children Eduardo and Claudia we all study at Maria Reina’s School and always remember you for your smile, your kindness. Thank Sister Cyrilla. We love you so much.
Maria del Carmen, Eduardo, Eduardo Jr. and Claudia Gatjens
Aldo Campodonico 04/12/2023 @ 11:05 am
I am so happy to see sister Cyrilla Jackels well and happy, celebrating 100 years.
She was my English teacher at Maria Reina Catholic School in Lima Peru during the 70s
Please tell her that our prom remembers her with love.
Ricardo Gatjens 04/12/2023 @ 11:43 am
Sister Cyrilla was a very nice friend in my years (1971 – 1976) in Maria Reina School at Lima, always happy, enjoying the life and giving us her time and patience. I will send the Lord a pray for you Sister Cyrilla
Mariana Gálvez 04/12/2023 @ 11:57 am
I am from Lima, Perú. I live now in Ohio. Sister Cyrilla was our English teacher in Highschool also the librarian. I remember her as a kind and very enthusiastic teacher.
Happy 100th Birthday dear Sister Cyrilla
María Isabel Quiñones 04/12/2023 @ 11:57 am
Happy birthday sister Cyrilla!! Enjoy your day!!
Andres Palacios 04/12/2023 @ 12:06 pm
Hello Dear Sister Cyrilla,
How can we forget about you!
You were the sweetest sister and the one that always teach us with a smile and loving heart.
We will always remember you
Love you
The Palacios’
María Reina – Lima ,Peru
Ana Maria Drinot 04/12/2023 @ 12:53 pm
Dear Sister Cyrilla,
Congratulations for your 100th birthday!
I keep good memories and moments with you, being our teacher at Maria Reina III Prom.
Hugs and kisses,
Ana Maria Drinot
jose f albujar 04/12/2023 @ 1:25 pm
She was My teacher in Perú in the 70s, i’m glad to see pictures of her, she also looks very healthy…
Thanks Sister Cyrilla…
Liliana Laca 04/12/2023 @ 1:32 pm
Dejar Sister Cyrilla, happy birthday to you!!!
I remember you with love, god blessed you so much!
Kisses
Liliana Laca (VI prom. María Reina)
Liliana Laca 04/12/2023 @ 1:34 pm
Dear Sister Cyrilla, happy birthday to you!!!
I remember you with love, god blessed you so much!
Kisses
Liliana Laca (VI prom. María Reina)
Pilar Duque 04/12/2023 @ 2:04 pm
Dear sister Cyrilla,
Happy 100th birthday!!! Sendings lots of hugs & blessings your way You look awesome !!! I remember you from the Maria Reina school in Lima, great memories. I currently live in McKinney, TX with my family.
Always thankful for all you did for us
Love, Pilar Picon de Duque, MR 76
Robby Ralston 04/12/2023 @ 3:25 pm
A huge FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS to our dear Sister Cyrilla from all her boys and girls of the VI Prom of María Reina School in Lima.
Give her a big kiss and a big THANKS from all of us and tell her we LOVE her very much!
Un abrazo,
Robby Ralston.
Mariella Galliani Fernandez 04/12/2023 @ 3:49 pm
Dear sister Cyrilla…
I cannot express the joy in my heart after knowing that you turn 100 year old and looking so gorgeous! What’s your secret?. You were my best sister teacher that I had. I am so blessed to had you in my life.
Thank you so much for your patience, I had always been a good girl, but for some reason always in trouble. But I can assure and remember, that you loved me the way I was.
I love the to play the guitar in church. I was in love with your hand writing, and the way you spoke to us, with a calm and gentle voice, no matter how loud we were you were always calm, sweet and with a beautiful smile in your face.
Tall and slim, warm arms, always to embrace us, with that kind love so characteristically of you.
Thank you sister Cyrilla for such good and lovely memories. You are an angel in earth, and I am so lucky to coincide with you in this life.
Lots of love,
Mariella Galliani Fernandez (II Prom).
Maria del Carmen Cossu 04/12/2023 @ 4:24 pm
Dearest Sister Cyrilla,
Happy Birthday!!! We are so fortunate to have you as our teacher at the Maria Reina Catholic School in Lima, Peru. I am now working at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and I owe it to you and all our dear Sisters in the school for teaching me the best English and Spelling! Loved your Spelling book and our contests between boys and girls.
With gratitude and admiration!
Big hugs and Cheers!
Makaki
Maria del Carmen Cossu 04/12/2023 @ 4:27 pm
Dearest Sister Cyrilla,
Happy Birthday!!! We are so fortunate to have you as our teacher at the Maria Reina Catholic School in Lima, Peru. I am now working at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and I owe it to you and all our dear Sisters in the school for teaching me the best English! Loved your Spelling book and our contests between boys and girls.
With gratitude and admiration!
Big hugs and Cheers!
Makaki
Adolfo A Arana 04/12/2023 @ 9:06 pm
Sending best wishes and Happiest birthday to Sister Cyrilla. From the class of 1983, X Prom. Maria Reina, Lima Peru.
Sister Caritas Strodthoff 04/13/2023 @ 9:08 am
Sister Cyrilla, Even at 1oo years you are still such a joy, always with a ready smile, and cheerful disposition. You serve the Lord faithfully all these years. May he hold you close in the palm of His gentle hand…for the next years of your life, serving Him in all ways, whatever He asks of you. Blessings, Sr. Caritas
Lilian 04/14/2023 @ 4:33 am
Querida Sister Cyrilla,
En primer lugar: FELIZ VUELTA AL SOL!!! Que notícia tan maravillosa e increíble que complete usted su vuelta número 100 al astro!! Felicitaciones!
Le deseo mucha salud y paz.
Le agradezco por sus enseñanzas y buenos recuerdos en mi infancia, Colegio María Reyna, Lima, Perú. Un fuerte abrazo y gratitud. ✨
Marita Medina 04/14/2023 @ 6:44 pm
Hermosa y querida Sister, Dios te conceda muchas bendiciones y la Virgencita te siga cuidando. Te mando muchos cariños
LILIANA FEIJÓO DE ANDÍA 04/14/2023 @ 8:14 pm
You are so happy Sister Cyrilla.
I remember you specially celebrating all the SPORT moments with the students.
Felíz 100 años de vida .
DIOS la bendiga.
Santina Indiveri Tartarini 04/15/2023 @ 1:30 pm
La recuerdo siempre muy alegre y caritativa, con mucha paciencia con nosotros sus alumnos, que lindo saber que cumplió 100 años, gracias por dedicarnos parte de tu vida, te mando un fuerte abrazo y un beso por tu cumpleaños. Bendiciones
Santina Indiveri Tararini
Ex alumna María Reina prom III 1976
Sister Sharon Paul O.S.F. 04/16/2023 @ 5:34 pm
Congratulations,Sr. Cyrilla, on your milestone BIRTHDAY of 100! THANK you, for your dedicated YEARS of SERVICE at Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville, Ohio. The people today are still asking about YOU.
Continued blessings in serving the Lord so graciously! God’s CARE always!