Not too long ago I was living in a busy town on the outskirts of a big bustling city.
I was keeping busy working full-time, staying active and spending quality time with family and friends.
What more could I ask for?
God was always first in my life, but what did that really mean?
I questioned,
God answered
and now I’m living in the Heart of Christ, keeping busy serving Him, living the life of a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration.
Having attended Catholic School from Pre-K through 12th grade, I had a decent understanding of the Catholic Faith and was familiar with Religious Sisters. My brother and I were raised in a small Catholic family of four. Our paternal grandparents were faithful and prayerful Catholics. Our grandmother frequently watched EWTN, especially Mother Angelica. This is how I knew of the “EWTN Sisters.” It was many years later that I learned they are Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration.
In school I strived to get good grades to eventually have a good career and get married. I was involved and interested in music, sports and dance. In my sophomore year of high school I had a fun, kind-hearted theology teacher who is a Religious Sister in an active community. She said in class one day some of us may be called to Religious Life. I thought…. Hmmm, could I be one? I brushed it aside for I was attracted to and distracted by worldly delights. And off to college I went.
After obtaining a master’s degree and working full time for some years, I finally began to truly discern my vocation. My brother told me about a Catholic YouTube channel I could listen to and about a couple catholic young adult groups. I dated, but didn’t find the perfect gentleman until I spent more time with Jesus. I started praying the Rosary daily, going to Eucharistic Adoration and attending Mass more and more frequently.
Spiritual reading and spiritual direction from a knowledgeable priest were imperative in kickstarting my vocation discernment. At this point I began contacting religious communities that I was most attracted to. I took one step at a time. The PCPAs at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery was the third place I contacted. I didn’t know for certain at that point, but I did know that I was excited and determined, peaceful and joyful all at the same time. The Lord opened doors and I kept walking through them with the Blessed Virgin Mary’s help all along the way. Of course, I was nervous as well, but I kept going.
Here I am, fulfilling my commission. It has taken a lot of faith and hope in God’s will and loving Providence. God has given me and my family the graces we need to be where we are today. I have done so much more than I could ever have expected in the cloistered contemplative life and I am still learning. In the words of St Paul,
“And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me.” (Gal 2:20).
When the Lord calls, go!
God will provide.
If you feel His peaceful tug on your heart, then come and seek Him.
Come, see and follow Him!