Vidrine named Nun of the Year

By Katherine Miller

THE POST SIGNAL

CROWLEY – It all began like a dream, as Sister Elsie Mae Vidrine explained. On Tuesday morning, July 1, she opened a letter addressed to her from Houma, and had no idea how her life would change.

Each year hundreds of nuns are nominated across Louisiana in hopes of receiving the title Nun of the Year, which includes recognition at the Installation Mass and banquet, as well as a monetary gift. Two years ago, Sister Elsie was nominated, but was not chosen. This year, she was again nominated and her reaction to the good news was, “It all feels like a dream.”

Monica Bertrand, a member of the local Ladies’ Auxiliary that nominated Sister Elsie, said, “We nominated Sister Elsie because of her deep community and civic involvement. She is definitely an asset to her community, especially to St. Michael’s School and Church, where she spends most of her time volunteering.”

Sister Elsie’s background has helped to mold her into the spiritual leader that she is today. Born in Belair Cove in 1926 into a hard-working, religious household, she is sister to two brothers, Winston and Woodrow Vidrine, and one sister, Ethel Fontenot, all of Ville Platte.

It was at a young age she felt called into the religious life. “I always thought that nuns were from Heaven, that they were perfect and not truly human,” she explained. “I spoke to one of the nuns who taught me and told her that I felt called, and she told me to pray about it and God would open the door. Not long after, I just knew.” She then moved to a New Orleans convent to answer the call upon her life, where she recalls, Sister Martina had a great influence on her life. Looking back 63 years later, Sister Elsie would not change a thing. “I have a strong security in my life, I don’t have to worry, because I know I am where I need to be in my life, “ Sister Elsie declared. Each day, she draws strength from Mary, Jesus’ mother, and says a simple prayer, that she may touch each person’s life that she comes into contact with.

Throughout her 63 years as a nun, many have been touched through Sister Elsie’s good works. She is known as the hugging nun. Sister explained that this title was put upon her in the year 1988, by a woman she reached out to while in Medgoria. From that point on, Sister Elsie has been known for her truly unselfish acts of kindness. Also, she added, “I have been known as the mother chick. I enjoy spending time with the kids and love to teach them ways in which they can grow in their faith.” She lives and truly believes the phrase “Give and you shall receive.”

Apart from her 13 years of service to St. Michael’s Church and School, Sister Elsie enjoys crocheting, tatting, and cooking and canning jellies to give away.

Sister Elsie will be honored during an Installation Mass and Banquet to be held July 26 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Crowley, with the banquet immediately following at the KC Home at 221 West Elm Street. Tickets may be bought for $20 by contacting Ella Sonnier at 783-4115.