Sister Dorothea Snaer has spent 48 years a nun.
"Happy years," she said as she walked down the hall of Glendale Adventist Medical Center to the chapel near the main entrance.
Sister Snaer, 72, was born and raised in Glendale. She's committed her life to the teaching of others as a French teacher for almost 50 years and as a nun for nearly the same period of time.
For two days a week, she spends as much time as it takes to visit about 40 patients each day.
She gives them holy communion, helps them connect with their God and offers an open ear to worries and prayers.
Glendale News-Press News Assistant Rachel Kane sat down with Sister Snaer in the Chaplain's Office of the hospital to speak about her faith, service and commitment.
When did you know you wanted to be a nun?
"My parents let me study in Switzerland because I was a French major and I wanted to be a French teacher and the sisters that ran the program not only left me with the possibility of teaching French but also with the spirit of religious life that I was looking for."
What did you go through spiritually to become a nun?
"I don't think it's really anything I did. I think it's a gift from God. It wasn't anything that I consciously did, it was something that was given to me."
What made you come to Glendale Adventist?
"I had a lot of practice as minister to the sick with my dad. I love to give holy communion. I love for them to be able to have the Eucharist because to feel the presence of God helps them with their weakness, in their sadness, in their fear."
How do you help those in recovery at the hospital?
"They connect with God and somehow I'm a part of it, but it's not me. It's a very special kind of thing. I kind of think of this, when I come over here, that's it's God's work. It's not mine."
How is it special?
"Well, it's special for them and it's special to have a part in that. If I come in, there's one lady that says, 'Oh, you came at just the right time.' Well, how does that make you feel?"
How does it make you feel?
"Blessed."
What is your goal here at the hospital?
"To make people happy, and they tend to be very happy. They're happy to receive their Lord. They're happy that somebody cares. They're happy to have somebody to talk to if they want to. I saw somebody crying in the hall the other day. She wasn't on my list but I decided she was what I'm here for."
Did you plan on a life of service?
"That's one of the reasons for us being. To serve others."
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