Faithfully Woven: Sister Marie Anita Abadie, SNDdeN 

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Our archives are alive with the fascinating stories of our Sisters who established our presence in California. Read more about Sister Marie Anita Abadie, SNDdeN, whose faith journey began with a unique spiritual awakening. 

Deep Spirituality: Sister Marie Anita Abadie, SNDdeN  

A native of Honduras, Sister Marie Anita Abadie, SNDdeN (Otilia Abadie) was born two months premature. Despite periods of poor health, she grew into a rambunctious and mischievous child. Her father was a French immigrant from Lourdes with ties to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, and her mother was Honduran. 

As a young girl, Otilia began to have deeply spiritual experiences that revealed her need for our good God. She heard a voice telling her to read the Bible. She did not really want to do it, but obeyed. In a secret place, she sat and read as commanded until the stories began to affect her. She saw visions of suffering and the glorious light of creation.  

Otilia realized how sinful she had been. During Holy Week, she made a sincere confession and received Holy Communion with reverence, deepening her understanding of Holy Thursday. She attended Mass as often as she could but did not reveal her experiences to her family. She simply continued her education through high school while also learning from her mother’s exquisite sewing skills and how to tend a garden.  

On the advice of doctors, the Abadie family moved to Santa Barbara. There, Otilia met the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. After a year of English instruction, she was accepted into the Belmont convent in February 1923. Her novitiate was located on the fourth floor of Ralston Hall at Notre Dame de Namur University, and she was given the name Sister Marie Anita.  

Her Novice Mistress, Sister Mary Annunciata, SNDdeN held up Sister Marie Anita’s humility and service activities as examples to others. With her sewing expertise, she became the clothes keeper for various convents in need. Her longest service was at the College in Belmont, where she was beloved for the way she compassionately listened to both young and older Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.  

In the 1930s, she taught sewing at the high school in Alameda for eight years. In the 1940s, under strict rationing during World War II, she was very adept at patching up worn habits. 

During the 1950s, Sister Marie Anita began to experience anxiety, which affected her ability to concentrate on her tasks. Her doctor suggested she work in the garden to alleviate the stress, so she and Sister Catherine Julie walked around the campus to find a suitable spot. When nothing seemed to fit their needs, Sister Catherine Julie suggested she start a container garden with small pots of flowers and plants. The advice worked, and the shelves of potted plants gave Sister Marie Anita the respite she needed. 

Along came the 1960s and the changes brought by Vatican II. Sister Marie Anita was in high demand to sew modified habits, especially when the Sisters were allowed to wear civilian dress. Many have memories of their first suits crafted by Sister Marie Anita.  

In 1969, just a month after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, Sister Marie Anita was one of many to travel to Rome for the Canonization of St. Julie. In 1975, she went for a month-long sabbatical to visit her childhood home and relatives in Honduras.  

Sister Marie Anita was the embodiment of St. Julie’s instructions to be humble, caring for those in your charge and be joyful as you carry out God’s wishes. During her oral history interview, she was asked, “Have you had happiness in Notre Dame?” She answered, “Oh, yes. I have. All through my life. And the happiness of inspiration to carry me on.”