Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Sister Mary Rachel Hart, a member of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, has taken on a new role in Orlando. Raised in the Clearwater/Safety Harbor area, Sister Hart is the eldest of three children. Reflecting on her childhood aspirations, she said, “I wanted to be about 20 different things when I grew up, a nun was one of them.”

Initially believing she was called to married life, Sister Hart's perspective shifted during her time at the University of Florida where she studied aerospace engineering. Her faith deepened, but it wasn't until attending a retreat that she felt drawn to religious life. “There, the Lord revealed His love to me in such a way that I knew that was what He wanted of me,” she explained. “In that moment, it came as a surprise, and it changed my views of what I thought of life and all my own plans.”

As Sister Hart discerned her path within religious life, she planned to visit the motherhouse of her current order. A meeting with Mother Adela Galindo clarified her understanding of their charism. Mother Galindo described charism as “like a seed in our hearts and the community is the soil where that’s going to grow the best.” For Sister Hart, visiting the order felt like returning home.

“We are called to offer our lives in love and consolation to the pierced hearts of Jesus and Mary,” Sister Hart noted. She emphasized their Marian charism: “We’re called to be a living image and presence of the heart, person and mission of Our Lady because she’s the one who consoled the heart of Jesus the most.”

Since professing vows in January 2018, Sister Hart has served in various roles including campus ministry in Illinois and Jacksonville under the Diocese of St. Augustine. Most recently, she worked as a formator for postulants in Miami before moving to Orlando in August 2024. She currently serves at Bishop Moore Catholic High School alongside Sister Kristi Bergman while awaiting Cristo Rey Catholic School's opening next year.

By Glenda Meekins from Florida Catholic staff