My religious vocation as a Sister of Christian Charity has been more enriching and grace-filled than I could have ever imagined when I entered our community over 19 years ago. I attended Catholic school from Kindergarten through high school and was introduced to several communities of Sisters throughout those years. Their lifestyle often intrigued me, but I never actually considered the idea of becoming a Sister until my sophomore year at Allentown Central Catholic High School. It was during that year that the witness of my Theology teacher, Sister Mary Joseph, truly touched and inspired me in many ways. She was quiet and unassuming, but clearly a dedicated Sister of Christian Charity.
During Sister Mary Joseph’s class, I often wondered things like, “What does she do when she is not at school?” and “What does the inside of her convent look like?”. There was also a vocation poster hung at the front of her classroom with the invitation to consider yourself as a Religious Sister. I clearly remember looking at the picture of the woman in the religious habit on that poster many times and imagining my face in place of hers.
As time went on, I said to myself at one point, “What am I doing??” My ‘normal’ friends and classmates were getting excited about choosing colleges and career paths, and here I was imagining myself as a Religious Sister and ‘Googling’ different religious communities when no one was looking. I no longer felt interested in the universities I once yearned to attend. I spoke to Sister Mary Joseph about my interest in religious life and she answered my endless stream of questions. She even invited me to her convent for Evening Prayer and supper. Being with the Sisters that evening felt so right, and I didn’t want to leave!
The most important advice that Sister Mary Joseph gave me during this early period of my discernment was to PRAY. “You have to pray,” she said, “and ask God what He wants you to do with your life.” I can honestly say that I had never prayed about any decision before then. I had asked God for favors, thanked Him for His blessings, and went to Church every Sunday… but never actually asked for guidance or even heard of a “discernment process” until then.
I began attending daily Mass, went to several teen weekend retreats and participated in “Come and See” opportunities at our community’s Motherhouse. I researched other religious communities, but my heart always brought me back to the Sisters of Christian Charity. I took Sister Mary Joseph’s advice and prayed constantly for light in my discernment. It gradually became apparent, and even unavoidable, that God wanted me to give my life to Him as a Sister of Christian Charity.
Our community offers the option of entering immediately after high school graduation and attending a junior college while in Initial Formation. Some of my family members and friends encouraged me to try a year or two of college before entering, just to be sure I was making a well-informed decision. It was wise advice, but I felt so strongly that I could not wait even one more year to enter the convent. God’s call within my heart was so intense that I had to follow Him… NOW!
I cannot adequately articulate what a precious gift my religious vocation is to me. My Sisters in community are such a blessing to me and I love them with my whole heart. I am deeply grateful to be a part of this religious family.