Sister of Mercy

Norma Pimentel: An inspiration this National Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond

September kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time of special tribute to the cultures and contributions of those of us with roots in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, and Spain. This observance occurs annually from September 15 to October 15, coinciding with several nations’ anniversaries of independence from Spanish rule.  Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on September 15, and Mexico (el grito!) and Chile respectively recognize their days of independence on September 16 and 18.

This year’s theme, “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope,” beckons us to celebrate Hispanic heritage and the resilience and hope many have relied on to improve our collective future. The message is especially fitting as we continue to navigate challenges involving the pandemic, global warming, social injustices, the intensifying political divide, perpetuating economic and social inequities, and other issues that gravely affect our world and its citizens.  

Heritage and hope are hallmarks of the work of our 2021 Dean’s Lecture Series Speaker, Sister Norma Pimentel. Sister Norma represents a beacon of hope for many migrants fleeing dire circumstances in their homelands in search of a safer life. Her efforts on the border were widely recognized and Time magazine named her one of The 100 Most Influential People of 2020.

A Model of Humility 

Born to Mexican immigrants nearly seven decades ago in Texas, Norma Seni Pimentel grew up transnationally between her birthplace of Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico. In A Pope Francis Lexicon, she says of her hometown, “I am a U.S. citizen by 'chiripa' — sheer chance.” Sister Norma belongs to the Missionaries of Jesus and she earned a Master’s in Theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Chicago’s Loyola University.  

Her devotion to migrants has garnered admiration from Pope Francis, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, who said of Sister Norma’s work during the last administration, "...she has acted with compassion...she has preached community and acceptance...she has taught love."*

Sister Norma serves as executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV), the charitable branch of the Diocese of Brownsville and a division of Catholic Charities USA and Caritas Internacionalis. The organization addresses great need in the community by providing food, medical aid, and counseling as well as means of financial assistance. In her role, Sister Norma oversees CCRGV’s Humanitarian Respite Center that has provided comfort and care to more than 100,000 people released from immigration detention centers on the border between Texas and Mexico. The respite center offers refugees temporary shelter and legal guidance before they leave for their new residences. 

Aside from leading CCRGV, Sister Norma ministers at Refugee Camp Matamoros in Mexico, interacting with those pursuing refuge in the U.S. from Caribbean and Central and South American countries. She has continuously worked with local government and aid groups in Matamoros to address the refugees’ physical needs while calling for an end to Migrant Protection Protocols that prevent them from entering the U.S. until a judge hears their asylum case.

A Trusted Figure 

In “Oh Mercy,” a short documentary by director, writer, and producer Robert Bilheimer,  we gain a better understanding of Sister Norma’s empathy— and love— for migrants. Those she tends to and works with in Matamoros and in the Rio Grande Valley trust her, and migrants feel safe and understood when they are with her.

Sister Norma embodies the best of humanity and symbolizes integrity. Her words mirror her deeds. Despite the pandemic, she continues serving those in Mexico and Texas needing shelter, food, or medicine, regardless of their political status. She doesn’t see borders; instead, she sees people suffering and in search of spiritual and physical safety. She recognizes the inherent dignity in humans and never designates them “foreigners” or “citizens.”

There is much we can learn from Sister Norma’s work. Not only has she enhanced the lives of others, but those she serves enrich her life. Individually and as a community of higher learning, we too are enriched by the students we serve, and we should continue to do so with the care and compassion Sister Norma models for us so beautifully, remembering too, to celebrate the richness of their diverse contributions.  

 *Source: Global Sister’s Report

Register for the free Fall 2021 Dean’s Lecture Series with Sister Norma Pimentel

To Watch

“Oh Mercy” 

Observances

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Labor Day

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur