Sr. Maria Caritas Lawrence is a

Sister of Mercy A sister is a woman or a girl who shares one or more parents with another individual; a female sibling. The male counterpart is a brother. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer t ...

and 2012 recipient of the Order of the British Empire bestowed by

Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elisabeth or Elizabeth the Queen may refer to: Queens regnant * Elizabeth I (1533–1603; ), Queen of England and Ireland * Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022 ...

, for her lifelong and varied contributions to Belize. SCA Petition

A graduate of

St. John's College, Belize St. John's College (abbreviated as SJC, and locally known as St. John's or John's) is a private Catholic selective secondary school for boys and private co-educational university college, located in Belize City, Belize. Founded in 1887 by the S ...

, Sister Caritas entered the Mercies and had further studies in the United States. She then taught sociology and philosophy of education at

University of Belize The University of Belize (UB) is an English-speaking multi-locational institute for higher education, and the national university of Belize. The institution offers certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and a graduate degre ...

from 1968 to 1973, residing in St. Ignatius parish from 1970 to 1973 and directing the choir there. A promoter of women’s issues, she actively supported Sr. Consuelo Torres’ decision to allow girls to remain at St. Catherine Academy after having a child. The photo shows her (center) and Sr. Yvonne Hunter receiving a petition from Charles M. Woods Sr. after a peaceful protest parade in

Belize town Belize City is the largest city in Belize and was once the capital of the former British Honduras. According to the 2010 census, Belize City has a population of 57,169 people in 16,162 households. It is at the mouth of the Haulover Creek, whi ...

over this issue. Maria Caritas went for further studies in the West Indies, returning in 1976 to become principal of San Luis Rey School in rural Toledo. While there she assisted with the translation of the Mass and sacred music into Mayan, and established literacy programs and a high school scholarship fund for the Maya children of the

Toledo District Toledo District is the southernmost district in Belize, and Punta Gorda is the District capital. It is the second most developed region in the country (according to the Human Development Index (HDI)). The district has a diverse topography whic ...

. She also served in Canada and at the sisters’ infirmary in Rhode Island. In 1984 she became principal of St. Catherine Academy for 11 years, handing over this position to the first lay principal of SCA in 1995. She went on to serve as a senior officer in the Ministry of Education, resigning in 2015 at the age of 75 but continuing in her prison ministry and church-related works.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Caritas (Mercy Sister) Belizean Roman Catholics Sisters of Mercy Members of the Order of the British Empire Belizean academics Clergy and religious in Belize Belizean women