About Us

The Sisters of The Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament

In October of 1926, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sac BSA founding Sisters

rament of the Hallettsville foundation decided to move their Motherhouse and Novitiate to San Antonio and began construction of their new facilities on Mission Rd. Ths Sisters did not orginally intend to open a school at Blessed Sacrament Convent, but they began to take in pupils from the first year. Soon they opened their doors to both day pupils and boarders in both elementary and high school. By 1932, the Academy was fully accredited buy the State Department of Education. The elementary school accepted boys and from 1st through 8th grade until the late 60's. Ultimately, the school narrowed their focus to junior high and high school and remained on all-girls' school until 1989. Due to the changing demographiscs and the needs of the community, the Sisters made the decision to restructure the academic direction to a multi-level learning center, which now includes a Charter High School, Child Development Center, Parents' Academy & Jewish Family Counseling Center.

Courageous Conversations - An excerpt from Sr. Odilia Korenek's reflections on the future of religious vocations

At our April Assembly at the Motherhouse in Victoria, Sr. Emilie shared with us a reflection about the idea that religious life today is "nowhere between two somewheres." I believe that our challenge is somewhat the same. As we look at our past and do some holy remembering, we see large Catholic school and hospital systems, which we founded and in large part funded. Mother St. Clare Valentine and our Sisters of the past would probably be surprised to recognize that the immigrant Catholics they taught in their years on our shores are no longer under siege in a unforgiving world. In fact, the Catholics we taught and trained have moved into the center of society and have a great deal to say about how things are and will be in society; thanks in a significant part to us. So what now? My initial reflection is that it's burdensome, it's even unbelievable that the same people (us) who helped create the last reality of religious life are now expected to create the new reality. After the massive outlay of personnel and money in schools and hospitals, what now? Now that we are fewer and older and it is only right that we enjoy our golden years, how can this kind of venture be expected of us?

How can we be expected to make the same kind of sacrifices a young Mother St. Clare Valentine made in crossing the ocean to build a school system in an undeveloped country, without the supporting presence and understanding of her Sisters and her French homeland? Do we have anyone left who has what it takes to be an extension of the Incarnation in a renewed and refounded religious life? In fact that question is being asked at a national level. These transformative conversations invite us, leadership and membership together, to create an alternative future to focus on possibilities rather than problems, to facilitate our capacity for greater consciousness and, as did the Samaritan Woman at the well after her conversation with Jesus, to risk leaving our water jugs behind as we discern the call of God to the new fires of religious life

In Service of the Incarnate Word

We Incarnate Word & Blessed Sacrament Sisters who presently live here at BSA follow in the foosteps of some incredibly amazing women who laid the foundation and left us a legacy of love, compassion, and caring for God's children, youth and families. Daily, our ministry calls us to "multiply the loaves and the fishes " so that we can continue our mission of education, prevention, intervention, and outreach. Sr. Stephanie Marie Martinez