Ella Jane Bruen, CDP

She entered with an overnight suitcase to try religious life. By the grace of God, and many prayerful support systems, it is now sixty years which went too fast.

Sister Ella Jane Bruen entered religious life from St. Anthony parish in Cohasset, Massachusetts. She said what most influenced her decision to enter religious life were the Sisters of Divine Providence in Kingston. She said, "I had gone to stay with the Sisters for an overnight retreat and ended up staying for good! God's grace does miraculous deeds. I certainly know that!"

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School (Kingston, MA). She has a B.A. degree from Bridgewater State University and an M.A. from Harvard University in Language Arts. In the early part of her ministry, Sister Ella Jane was an educator at Sacred Heart Junior and Senior High School and the Director of Camp Mishannock (now Camp Morning Star) (1970-2007) in Kingston. She, then, became Resident Director of Bold Hall at La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA. At La Roche, students become part of a dynamic environment. Sister formed close relationships with many of the students. It was not uncommon for her to be called by a troubled student in the middle of the night. Described as honest, compassionate, as well as having a sense of humor. Sister Ella Jane said of her ministry, “I try to make God’s Providence visible by being open and present to all of my students.”

"A Union Soldier (Rufus) travales from his enlistment to his death." This is a direct quote from Sister Ella Jane Bruen's book, Through Ordinary Eyes. In addition to her ministries, she was also involved in many civic activities. Sister Ella Jane currently resides at The Commons of the Sisters of Divine Providence in Pennsylvania.

CLICK HERE to make a gift in honor of Sister Ella Jane's 60th Jubilee.