Sister Jane Ann Slater, CDP becomes an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate (HOMI)

November 23, 2022

On Saturday, November 19^th Sister Jane Ann Slater, CDP became an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate (HOMI). St. Eugene DeMazenod, OMI Founder, started the Honorary Oblate to recognize laity who were helpful in his ministries. It is the highest mark of esteem the congregation can bestow on a non-Oblate.

The special ceremony was held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas with Celebrant Rev. Louis Studer, OMI, Provincial of the U.S. Province. Other HOMI’s recognized at the event include Gerardo Gonzalez, Gee Gee Whitehurst, and John Whitehurst.

Sister Jane Ann has a long history with the Oblates and recalls an older cousin attending Our Lady of the Lake would often rave about Fr. Paul Decker, OMI. Later, when she enrolled at the university, she met priests there whom she called “my own Oblates,” among them Frs. John Sheehan and Jim Lonergan.

During her formation for religious life, Sister Jane Ann learned that the Oblates had a long history of collaboration with the Sisters of Divine Providence. They provided chaplains for the Sisters, and Father Henry Constantineau, OMI, who founded the theological and philosophical school that survives today as Oblate School of Theology, served as the Sisters’ ecclesiastical superior and helped them become recognized as a pontifical congregation in 1912. Father Henry served as the first President of Our Lady of the Lake College from 1911 to 1940.

Sister Jane Ann has been a Sister of Divine Providence for over 65 years. She taught chemistry for over a decade at Our Lady of the Lake University, has served on their Board, and was president of the University from 2013-2015. She also served 18 years in CDP leadership in three different Councils and as Superior General from 1987 to 1993 and 2005 to 2011.

She worked at the Archdiocese of San Antonio as Director of Studies for Assumption Seminary and served on the committee assisting Archbishop Gustavo in developing his pastoral vision for the archdiocese. Additionally, she is on the Oblate School of Theology board.

“I’ve been greatly blessed by Oblates. I give thanks to God’s providence for leading me to San Antonio and to my congregation, in which Oblates have been so significant. I’m sure that St. Eugene never imagined all that his men would accomplish in their missionary lives.” she commented.

In 2015 she became Chancellor of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, a role she held until 2021. As chancellor, Sister Jane Ann served as chief notary and record-keeper for the archdiocese, certifying documents, preparing the archdiocese’s quinquennial report to the pope, being liaison with apostolic groups and overseeing revamping of the archives space. She was also responsible for preparing letters of good standing for laity, gathering information for the Official Catholic Directory, distributing the quarterly memo for priests and organizing retreats, socials and the like for archdiocesan employees.

“I’m a woman who trusts deeply in Providence. I believe that we co-create with Providence. We try to make the world better by our lives. It’s been a great life. I wouldn’t change anything,” Sister Jane Ann said.

Thank you, Sister Jane Ann, for your service and dedication. Congratulations on being named an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate.