Pathways: Summer 2003
A Treasured Life
by S. Ily Fernandez, CSJ
A few days ago I had the opportunity to have a conversation
with a college student who wanted to interview a Sister about
her story and lifestyle for a speech class on the topic of
different cultures. I just happened to be, at that moment,
at the entrance of the Catholic Center, and since there is
no Sister on the Campus Ministry Staff, the receptionist pointed
me out. The student and I immediately set a date for the interview.
At first I was quite surprised by my interviewer. She was
a young woman who wore contemporary dress and indicated a
non-denominational church affiliation. By her appearance,
I did not think she would engage in such a serious conversation.
I was wrong!
So this is what I told her:
My story of noticing a call for religious life, began when
I was a high school student, and I asked myself what I wanted
to do with my life? I was a regular teen, had a good family,
liked school, enjoyed the company of friends, loved to dance
and have a good time at parties. But, I began to feel an emptiness
when returning from such activities. I can recall sitting
on my bed one night and asking myself, “Is this all
there is to life? I want more! Where is God in all this?”
I used to teach catechism to children in a very poor area
on Saturdays and later visit with their families. I was beginning
to notice that these experiences filled me with great joy
and peace, like nothing else could.
During that time I began to talk with one of the Sisters at
school. She was an open and friendly woman. I shared with
her my questions and I asked her about her life. I began to
learn that there was such a thing as a call from God that
was revealed in our feelings and attractions. She guided me
to read Scripture and specifically gave me a passage that
from then on has been a real treasure: “I can do all
things in the One who strengthens me....”
It would take very long to share with you all the details
of my life, but in long strokes I will tell you that I truly
fell in love with God. It has been a process that rooted me
in a relationship, that asked for a total self-giving response.
I just wanted to be with God and do those things that would
lead others to God.
My parents objected to my becoming a Sister, but through the
years they came to realize that I was very happy in this life,
so eventually they were satisfied with my decision. So much
so, that before Dad died, a few years ago, he told me how
proud he was of me.
As
Sisters of St. Joseph, we are called together in community
to be women on a mission. Our formation prepares us for our
life of service with a spirituality rooted in Jesus. Trying
to respond to the call to live, work and pray to bring people
closer to God and to one another, we are called to a heroic
life. But there is tremendous joy and fulfillment in giving
ourselves to such a mission.
It is a worthwhile life because what is at stake is so big.
We commit ourselves to help Jesus in his ministry of reconciliation
in the world. We want people to know the Good News. We commit
ourselves to an inclusive love of the dear neighbor, because
we want to be where God’s grace is most active today.
We place ourselves with the poor and needy, who keep giving
passion and urgency to our mission. We know that helping people
come to know and love God will also call them to work for
reconciliation and justice.
Our experience of how God works within us, as a community
of Sisters, calls us to collaborative partnerships in all
we do. In all our ministries, we work side by side with other
gifted women and men - calling forth each other’s gifts
for mission.
We are so commited to God’s people, the dear neighbor,
that we take liberating vows, to more completely free us for
service. We take a vow of Poverty because we want to be free
from the pull of consumerism, and from any possibility of
building our identity around what we have. We have everything
we need for mission, but nothing we have is ours.
We take a vow of Chastity because we want to be free to give
our time, our energy, our affection to those we serve. We
want to be free to go anywhere and do anything that women
are capable, as we are needed.
We take a vow of Obedience because we want to be free from
doing our own thing, to make a difference in a mission so
much bigger than anything we could ever do alone.
It is a wonderful life. We have come to know that Jesus was
right when he told us that we would find our life by losing
it. My time with this young woman came to a close. As she
was saying goodbye, she said to me,“Sister what a treasured
life you live.”
If any part of this story is attractive, inspiring, or even
stirs some deeper questions in you, please follow those movements
of the spirit within you. Give God an opening in your heart.
We believe that our life as Sisters of St. Joseph is such
an extraordinary life, that we want to share with you as much
as we can, so that you might consider this life as a possibility.
There are many wonderful ways for Christians to fulfil their
baptismal promises to be one with Jesus in a life for others.
Our life isn’t always considered as a real possibility.
I am proud to tell you, it is an extraordinary life, we love
it, and we invite you to consider it for your life. Steps
to become a Sister of St. Joseph Rooted in the Mission of
Jesus... we live and work so that all people may be united
with God and with one another....
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Steps to become a Sister of St. Joseph
Rooted in the Mission of Jesus...
we live and work
so that all people may be united with God
and with one another....
Before You Join
Consider. Consider what is God’s desire
for you.
“In living out your life have only one desire to be
and to become the person God wants you to be . . . in nature,
grace and glory, for time and for eternity . . . ” Jean
Pierre Medaille, S.J. founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Discover. Set out to discover if God's desire and your desire
might meet in a vocation to religious life. This starts with
simple action. Make a phone call, write a note or send an
e-mail to Sister Ileana, Vocation Director for the Sisters
of St. Joseph of Medaille. After an initial phone conversation
and meeting, you may be on your way.
When You Join
Pray. During the next months pray about your
vocation, talk with Sister Ileana, meet the Sisters of St.
Joseph of Medaille, and participate in events that will give
you a chance to meet others whose journey has brought them
into community. Later you will begin a more formal and intense
time of prayer and discernment (a word for prayerful decision
making).
Apply. If these signposts on the journey
increase your desire for membership, you may ask to begin
a formal application process (Affiliateship) to the Sisters
of St. Joseph of Medaille. Initial Formation. The journey
continues once you join or enter the Sisters of St. Joseph
of Medaille. During your first years in community you will
engage in a period of initial formation which will help you
to discover where your desire and God’s desire meet.
And help you to become a member of the Congregation if discernment
brings you to that place.
Pre Novitiate. During this period that ordinarily
lasts a year, you will live in a local community with Sisters
of St. Joseph and participate in their activities and prayer
life. You are expected to continue working or studying and
be financially independent as you gradually transition into
the Congregation.
Novitiate. This is a two year period of incorporation
where you will live with and be financially dependent on the
Congregation. The novitiate prepares you to be a vowed member
of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille. In the first year
you will deepen your relationship with Jesus through prayer,
reflection on our spirit and documents, religious studies
and limited involvement in
ministry. During the second year you broaden your understanding
of apostolic religious life, Medaille charism and mission,
integrating our values through prayer, community and ministry.
First Profession. After the novitiate you
will make first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. To
vow poverty is to depend on God, sharing all things in common.
To vow chastity is to love as Jesus loved, inclusively and
generously. To vow obedience is to listen to God within one’s
self and the community, to be attentive to the needs of the
Church and the world and to respond to those needs.
Temporary Profession. During the three to
six years of temporary profession, you will live in a local
community and pursue full time ministry and or study.
Final Profession. After the years of temporary
profession, you make a lifetime commitment as a fully vowed
and involved member of the Congregation.