I came to the United States confident that I know what is
good for me, what I want out of life, what will make me happy. Eager to immerse
myself into my new environment, I enthusiastically participated in both
academic and non-academic activities. Set to attain my long desired quest for
higher learning, I thrust myself into the rhythm of College life because I
wanted to excel. However, during my second year of College, I started becoming a
little restless, it was like something was missing. At first I tried to dismiss
the feeling, telling myself that I was probably too home sick, yet the feeling
would not go away.
Back then, Sr. Mary Theresa Bowman CDP was volunteering at
the Newman center of Berea college where I attended. As a great friend and
mentor, she supported, still supports and encourages me. So I shared my
thoughts with her, asking that she offer prayers for me. Gradually, I started
feeling drawn to religious life once again and the thought of it always made me
happy. As time went on, my discernment moved from prayer to action. I visited
our sisters in Melbourne Ky, and again in 2009 for a “come and see” weekend. I decided
to attend the event because I wanted to explore all my options. It obviously I
found what my heart was seeking. Fast forward 7 years, and I am now in my
second year of initial formation.
It
seems like a dream that I am through with my canonical year of Novitiate. So
far, it has been an interesting journey of spiritual, social, psychological and
communal growth for me. I am grateful that this journey has expanded my faith
and broadened by understanding of what it means to be a twenty first century
religious woman seeking membership in the United States. My journey has enabled
me to have a deeper encounter with God through the spirituality of Blessed Jean
Martin Moye and the charism of our foundation. On the whole, the joys and
challenges gained this past year continue to strengthen my discernment and keep
me grateful for all the people/events through which God has kept me steadfast.
I have experienced
community as a place of laughter, celebrations and tears. Always eager to
participate in the work of building God’s kingdom by proclaiming his gospel of
love and compassion, this past year has enabled me to immerse myself into the
rhythm of prayer, service and sharing community with all our amazing sisters
and CDP community who daily continue to added value to my life. United in our
common call, vision, and purpose, I am humbled to have the privilege to
participate in sharing the great call of proclaiming the coming of the kingdom
by making it present in and through us. I have learned so much this past year
because I have been given everything I need to become a grounded, happy,
vibrant future CDP. I am fortunate to be in a place where I have blossomed for God.
As a woman of Providence, I continue to accept all from providence; experiences
which proved that my trust in Providence is not in vain as well as challenges that
help me unite my sufferings with that of Christ. I am at peace with everything
because I know that my destiny is in God’s hands. By his grace, I can accept
whatever comes as his will and in good faith repose my confidence in him.
While
I remain grateful for this journey and hope that it continues, I am also at
peace with whatever happens. Just like Fr. Moye said before leaving for China,
I am at ease because I am in the hands of God and I have no doubt that
Providence does indeed guide and direct everything. May it not be in vain that
I seek the face of Providence because my intentions are pure. I hope that my
journey continues to be full of adventure, compassion and strengthening of
relationship much more than I can ask or imagine. I have made it this far only
with the help of God who has kept me faithful through the practice of the
evangelical councils, our fundamental virtues of simplicity, poverty, charity and
abandonment to providence and my personal spiritual exercises. I am happy and
always feel at home with our sisters because my heart is at peace, a tranquil
peace that helps me know that I am in the right place. As I begin my Apostolic
Novitiate with the Refugee Resettlement program at Ohio Catholic Charities, I
urge you to pray that God may continue to help me remain open to his gifts
shared and exchanged in this mystical continuum of love.
