Meet Sister Maria

Sister Maria Helps Those in Need as an Art Therapist and Sandplay Therapist:

Sister Maria V has many duties as an art therapist and sandplay therapist. Three days a week, she serves two religious congregations in Milwaukee. She is present to their elderly Sisters who are in need. Some may be experiencing the beginnings of dementia or other loss, or may just need someone to talk to and listen.

Sister Maria meets with the Sisters in her offices or in their rooms at their convents, and does artwork with them or they build sand trays together in order to look closer at issues. For a few, she has been present to them as they prepare for death after fighting cancer. Still others want to just learn more about art and use it creatively in their lives.

“A popular choice  during the individual sessions is sandplay therapy using  miniatures for self expression,” said Sister Maria. “Sandplay and art therapy are increasingly  recognized as  effective therapeutic tools. The tactile, nonverbal experience of the sand and the use of miniatures in sandplay and the use of varied art media help promote awareness of deeply emotional issues.”

Sister Maria also ministers in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, serving at Ascension  St. Michael’s Hospital in their Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Program for adults. She facilitates art  therapy groups also sees  individual patients for therapy in her office,  located in the outpatient clinic next door to  the residence. These patients struggle with an addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs which affect not only their lives but the lives of their families, loved ones and perfect strangers.

In addition, Sister Maria also ministers at Ascension Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where she does art therapy groups on two floors: adult behavioral health (ages  18—64) and geriatric behavioral health  (ages 65 and older). She works with staff helping  patients who have  chronic or acute issues such as detoxing from alcohol or other drugs, psychosis, depression, mania, anxiety, and  those having suicidal/ homicidal ideation or have attempted suicide.

Thank you Sister Maria for your kindness and compassion in helping others!

What it means to be a sister

Video Title

Donate to help the poor

Support our efforts and mission work by making a secure online donation here:

Donate Now

Mission Statement

The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother participate in the mission of Jesus to bring fuller life to others by revealing the love of God for all, especially the poor. 

Learn More