Sr. Gelsy Mosca, SDV - Vocationist Sisters

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Sr. Gelsomina (Sr. Gelsy) Mosca, SDV
50^th Anniversary of Religious Life

Sr. Gelsomina Mosca , S.D.V. was born in Cassano Irpino, Avellino, Italy on April 11, 1945. The daughter of the late Gennaro and Raffaella Mosca, she is one of seven children.

On December 8, 1958, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 13 years of age, Sr. Gelsy joined the Vocationist Sisters at Pianura, Naples, Italy.

On October 2, 1962 Sr. Gelsy took her first vows. She made her final profession on October 2, 1968.

From July 1968 to 1969 Sr. Gelsy served as Mistress of Postulants in Pianura. She provided guidance, support and direction to the candidates discerning a call to religious life, giving them a deeper appreciation and understanding of the congregation’s charism and mission.

Soon after on September 19, 1969, Sr. Gelsy was sent to the USA. She joined a group of Sisters who had recently come from Italy to minister in Newark NJ. While serving at Perpetual Help Nursery and in the parish, teaching CCD, administering to the poor and underprivileged in the area, Sr. Gelsy attended Seton Hall University and obtained a Bachelor Degree in Spanish and a Masters Degree in Pedagogy.

Sr. Gelsy has served as Director of Perpetual Help Nursery, Newark, Magic Kingdom Day Nursery, Florham Park and Fr. Justin’s Learning Center, Palisades Park. She has also served as Superior of the Community.

She currently is the local Superior of the Florham Park Community and General Counselor for the Vocationist Sisters Congregation.

Sr. Gelsy reports:
I am joyfully celebrating 50 years of Religious life, what a blessing of the Lord! Jesus says:” Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing”.

The beginning of my journey in religious life was very difficult. At such a young age, I was missing my mother, who was everything for me. A lot of tears were shed my first months in Pianura, Naples; I recall crying every day. Mother Giovanna, our Mother General was thinking many times to send me home but I did not want that, I wanted to stay. Jesus said:” my help is enough for you”, and so I went on and after overcoming the first difficulties, I became happier and happier.

Sister Gelsy with Fr. Mario and other Vocationist Sisters

When I was in Rome studying to become an elementary school teacher, I remember someone told me that religious life was hard; that we had to go up the Calvary and overcome many hardships and difficulties. I thought to myself, thank God, I am very happy and I don’t have any problems. When I came to the United States, things changed. It was very difficult for me to adapt to a new Country.

My first introduction to the USA was the aftermath of the 1967 Newark riots. Upon my arrival in Newark, I saw many burned down houses and areas that looked like war zones. It was shocking. The area in those days was not safe. At Perpetual Help Convent I sometimes felt like a lion in a cage; I was not used to the screens with bars on the windows. I remember vividly in those early days when a bullet shot into my room; I thank God I was still in bed and the bullet did not reach me. Then too, I recall when one of our sisters was mugged and her throat was slashed. My early and growing years in America were very painful, but God was with me, He kept me safe and my prayer and union with Him brought me to high mountains.

A lot of joy and happiness followed in America. Thanks to God, grace was not in vain in me, as St. Paul says. I am enjoying the best time of my life. I am very happy to be at God service and II think that no other life is more fulfilling, more gratifying and more fruitful than the religious life.

Thanks to God that He called me to be completely and totally at His service and to belong only to Him. I am grateful to Father Justin for his life and for founding the Vocationist Families. Thank you to my Superiors and my sisters, to the Vocationist family, and also to my family and friends for their guidance, their support and their love and friendship. In a special way I thank Fr. Mario who has been my master and my mentor, he was always there to help me.

To God alone… the honor, glory and thanksgiving forever. Amen

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Sr. Gelsy Mosca, S.D.V.
88 Brooklake Road
Florham park, NJ 07932
Ph: 973-966-9762
E-mail: gelsym@yahoo.com