Living Saints

Living Saints
Mother Lillie, founder of Mt. Tabor Monastery, Tecate, MX
Mother Lillie, founder of Mt. Tabor Monastery, Tecate, MX



Have you ever been in the presence of a saint?

In May 1991, Lucie and I stood in line at the entrance of Pope John Paul II's Vatican residence, adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica. The year before, as we waited for a papal audience, the meeting was abruptly canceled because the pope had to leave for an emergency. This time, we were uncertain if some other occurrence might interfere with the much-anticipated meeting. To our relief, our pilgrim group was summoned to ascend the flight of stairs leading to the Papal chamber.

I vividly remember when Pope John Paul II stepped into the room. Time froze, the chamber brightened, we stood in awe -- moments etched forever in our collective memories. We were in the presence of someone not just charismatic but extraordinary.

Saints are usually portrayed with the golden halo we are all familiar with. It is said that the artist's circular halo actually represents the transcendent aura that emanates from living saints. In the 16th century, for instance, people claimed they saw St. Philip Neri's countenance shine as he celebrated Mass. And this was one saint who was known to be a practical joker, occasionally appearing in public in comical outfits or with only half of his beard shaved, just to make people laugh.

I dare say I witnessed, as many people have, the same saintly aura around Pope John Paul II. Likewise, I have seen it in the face of Sr. Mary Gregory, a 94-yr-old Benedictine nun who used to teach laypeople centering and contemplative prayer at the Perpetual Adoration Monastery in Mission Bay but who has since relocated to our Lady of Rickenbach in Missouri.

I have seen it in the face of Sr. Antonia Brenner, the legendary “Angel of Mercy” missionary nun who has lived in a Tijuana prison cell since 1986, ministering to convicted criminals. And I often noticed it in the demeanor of Fr. Luke Dougherty, the Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside who was spiritual director to bishops, priests, nuns, deacons, etc.

Collectively, I have not seen so many of these in one room than when I make my retreat at the Immaculate Heart of Mary / New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. Those hermit monks are the holiest (and happiest) people I have ever had the privilege to count as friends.

Recently, we visited Mt. Tabor Monastery in Tecate, Mexico, to see the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which was stopping by Tecate on its way to San Diego.

After praying in the chapel before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, we were beckoned by our pastor, Fr. Ed Horning, a very pious priest and an oblate of the order. He wanted to introduce us to Mother Lillie, the foundress of Mt. Tabor Monastery.

Approaching Mother Lillie, I instantly sensed the subtle but unmistakable brilliance around her. In awe, I bent down and took her hand respectfully to kiss it. In turn, she took my hand -- -- and to my utter amazement, kissed it. Taking my wife's hand, Mother Lillie also kissed it, saying she wanted to bless our healing hands.

I have never had my hand kissed by a living saint. And I would be very surprised if it ever happened again. It is at once a humbling and uplifting experience that is difficult to put into words.

Mother Lillie could easily be what Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta was fifty years ago, before her television interview with Malcolm Muggeridge brought her to the center of the world stage.

Mother Lillie has a very interesting life story. She was born in 1951 in Nogales, Mexico but was raised in the US. She wanted to enter the convent at age 14 but her father, who was an atheist, would not allow her. Married at age 17, she has two daughters and several grandchildren. A lovely granddaughter was with her when we visited the monastery.

She entered the Carmelite order in San Diego as an oblate after her marriage fell apart, then founded the congregation -- The Trinitarians of Mary -- after a momentous pilgrimage to Fatima in 1992.

Like Mother Teresa who received her "call within a call" on the train ride to her retreat in Darjeeling, Mother Lillie received her call in Fatima, Portugal. Later, Mother Lillie conferred with Mother Teresa about her calling to found a new order. Mother Teresa advised her that the best way was to simply stand aside and allow God to do the work.

She did exactly what Mother Teresa said. Without food, water, electricity, or money, Sr. Lillie Diaz established Mt. Tabor Monastery on a mountain in Tecate. Soon, young women from the United States and Mexico joined her mission. Since its founding, the religious order has experienced very rapid growth. In Mexico, there are about 40 nuns from different nationalities. Mother Lillie currently stays in the second house in San Diego, with a smaller group of nuns, because she needs close medical attention.

The Trinitarian's charism focuses on adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and praying for priests and the conversion of the whole world. Like Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Missionaries of Charity, the nuns wear traditional habits. Unlike religious orders who actively advocate for the ordination of nuns, Mother Lillie's sisters simply pray for and take care of priests. That difference may have something to do with why the former congregations are suffering from a lack of vocations while Mother Lillie's and Mother Teresa's are thriving.

Mother Teresa's work centered on lepers and the "poorest of the poor" in the slums of Calcutta. Mother Lillie has an orphanage with about thirty girls and conducts clinics for the surrounding region. She tells us that physicians from San Diego come to the monastery regularly to help with free medical clinics.

Mother Lillie extends an invitation to everyone to come and visit the monastery and to stay for retreats or a day of prayer. If you like to visit Mt. Tabor Monastery, you may call (011) (52) (664) 971-1092 between 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM & 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.

From San Diego, take I-8 east to Highway 125 south, then take Highway 94 east. Follow Highway 94 for about 29 miles, then turn onto Highway 188 south for 1.8 miles to the border crossing at Tecate.

Mt. Tabor Monastery is approximately 8.8 miles from the border, across a large Toyota manufacturing plant. Located 0.75 miles from the highway, the monastery sits atop a hill about 800 feet high.

The web link is www.trinitariansofmary.org.