For years, Psalm 16 has been a guiding principle for Sister Aquin Gilles, SDS. It has enabled her to live and appreciate every year of her religious vocation as a Sister of the Divine Savior.

Could she have ever imagined the world she would some day see when she left a small town in central Wisconsin to take the train to Milwaukee seventy-three years ago? She was fourteen and wanted to become a woman religious. She did not know that she would meet with several popes or that she would have friends across the globe. Her leadership positions within the Sisters of the Divine Savior would extend from the North American Province to within the Generalate in Rome.

Sister Aquin only knew that deep within she had a call to respond to a vocation. This Friday, September 10, she will celebrate her 70^th Jubilee of religious profession.

“I thank God for the wonderful blessings of religious life. I have worked and lived with wonderful people that have enriched and broadened my life. I have also experienced challenging years of change within our Church and world. But as I reflect on all the experiences, I am grateful for them.”

Sister Aquin taught in Bloomer and Schofield, Wisconsin, and at Mother of Good Counsel School, Milwaukee. The latter experienced unprecedented growth with classes of 50 to 60 students in the 1950s boom years. She was also on the first faculty of Divine Savior High School (now DSHA). She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Mary College and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Marquette University, both in Milwaukee.

In 1959 she was appointed Provincial Leader of the Sisters’ North American Province. She held that position until being elected to the Generalate in Rome in 1965. The Sisters of the Divine Savior has its international motherhouse in Rome.

“I appreciate our Congregation’s internationality. I learned so much from other people and cultures. I learned to have a world view while serving in Rome for twenty-five years.”

Today Sister Aquin is the North American Province archivist. Each morning she is among the first to arrive at the SDS Community House, 4311 N. 100th Street, Milwaukee. She has battled cancer and chronic pain with great courage. Her step may be a bit slower but the light in her eyes is bright. She brings a love of history and detail to this Archive position.

“You determine what materials need to be preserved. I have come to a deep respect for people and events within our history. I enjoy the research and recording the facts. It is fascinating,” she explained.

Sister Susan Staff, SDS, and Sister Mary Jo Stoffel, SDS, work in the Archives and consider Sister Aquin a treasure personally and professionally.

“She is a wisdom figure who is alert to community, church and world events. She is a treasure of information about our own Congregation as well as our Founders and Church law. But with all of the above, she is a friend with a quick smile, gentle ways, and a great sense of humor,” they said.