Early Life

Victoria Seibel, the fifth child of Emil and Theresia Seibel was born on a farm just north east of Regina. A deep commitment to the Catholic faith was at the core of the strong family ties that united Victoria’s family. The family bonds that were forged in those early years lasted down through the generations. Sister maintained contact with her nieces and nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews throughout her life.

Victoria’s early education was in part in a one room country school and in part in schools in the city of Regina. Right from the beginning, she showed a great love for the mysteries of mathematics as well as a gift for storytelling. These gifts served her well as a teacher and a member of community.

Education

Learning was a life time occupation for Victoria. She obtained her teaching certificate and spent some time teaching before entering the novitiate in Regina. After profession and while teaching she continued studying and obtained her BA, majoring in philosophy, and a MA, majoring in religious studies, from the University of Ottawa. She was working on her BEd when she was missioned to Rome in January 1973 to take up the role of General Bursar of the Congregation. There she went on to conquer the challenges of learning Italian as well as expanding her knowledge of accounting and financial book keeping for her new responsibility.

Teaching Career

Victoria loved teaching and this career spanned 34 years: 21 years at Sacred Heart Academy, 2 at Lebret Public High School and 11 more at Sacred Heart College and Marion High. During this time she often was principal as well as a high school teacher. Maintaining discipline was never a challenge for Sister. She was known to be regal in her deportment, knowledgeable in her subject matter and exact in her presentation. The students appreciated her story telling skills.

While teaching at Sacred Heart Academy, Victoria also helped care for the smaller boarding students, some as young as 2 years old. A gentle and loving person was evident as she became both mother and guide to them. She loved them and they loved her. The bond that was forged so long ago lasted until sister’s death. The young two year old of many years past was able to travel to Regina to be present at Sister’s funeral.

Other Work

As General bursar, Sister traveled extensively to visit our sisters in England, France, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar to assist them in setting up adequate accounting procedures. She was also involved in the arrangements with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary for rental space for our Generalate on Via Ferrucio. Years later, when the rental option was no longer viable, Sister searched Rome for a new location. She finally found a suitable place and was instrumental in purchasing the property on Via di Bravetta for a more permanent location for
the Generalate.

While stationed in Rome, Victoria became known for her knowledgeable tours of the historical sites from the catacombs to the Colosseum and everything in between. Her story telling skills had ample scope and her fun loving spirit with its lively sense of humor came to the fore on these tours. More often than nought, other tourists would ask to join the little group that sister was shepherding along.

Personal Life & Renewal

Victoria’s enthusiasm for life was also expressed in her interest in and respect for the livid reality of the people and their culture in the different countries where she worked or visited. She wrote lengthy, colorful accounts of her experiences not only in Rome but also during her business visits to India, Burma and Bangladesh. These circular letters were shared among her extended family. Once again her story telling ability was greatly appreciated.

Sister Victoria’s devotion, her acceptance of responsibility and her generosity with her time and energy was shown constantly throughout her life. Victoria served in many leadership positions in community. She was intelligent, showed good judgement and was able to handle difficult situations calmly. She was always discrete and gained the trust of the other sisters.

On her return to Canada after almost 12 years in Rome, Victoria enrolled in the Galilee Institute of Personal Spiritual Renewal in Arnprior, Ontario, a program particularly helpful to those moving out of high-powered apostolates or areas of service. Following this renewal time, Sister still had energy to take part in an ‘outside apostolate’ so she enrolled in the RCIA/RCIC programs- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults/children in Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. For the next 5 years she guided the program at Christ the King Parish. Her missionary zeal also included 2 years as parish assistant at Holy Rosary Cathedral before she retired once again only to put her teaching skills to good use by tutoring new Canadians.

Love of Nature

Victoria had a remarkable love of nature. A prairie sunset, a full moon, or a drive through Wascana Park gave her much joy. In the year 2000, while on a visit to New Zealand, Victoria had an experience which affected her deeply. She was privileged to watch as a butterfly emerged from its cocoon. This was a profound religious experience and it became for her a symbol of resurrection, of birth to new life. No wonder her room became inundated with all manner of butterflies.

Later Life

Victoria’s adjustment to life at Santa Maria nursing home in 2015, at the age of 99, was relatively peaceful. Life had already taught her the need to be able to let go. Even her own aches and pains began to be experienced in relation to that of other residents around her.

Her new mantra became “How blessed I am”.

She realized also that many residents were bored and lonely. For Victoria there never was time to be bored. Her days were filled with prayer, reading, visits with the sisters and her family and of course her crossword puzzles and Sudoku.

In Victoria’s night prayers she had consistently asked God to take her home in her sleep. Her request was granted in the early hours of the morning of February 1 st , 2018, when she was born to new life.

May you rest in peace good and faithful servant of God and daughter of Euphrasie Barbier.