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At that time
all the Sisters ate in the same cafeteria as the students
and I saw how they cared for each other. Their love and
support of each other impressed me. They were always so kind
and exuded a genuine hospitality toward each other and those
around them. It opened my eyes and heart to God's calling in
my own life. At first I tried to push all thoughts of
becoming a Sister away. I spent a lot of time walking and
thinking but the thoughts didn't go away.
Finally I
told my mother and she encouraged me to meet with a Sister
and learn more about the lifestyle. That did it. I became an
affiliate of Annunciation Monastery in 1998 and in 2000 came
to live at the monastery. Living with the Sisters felt very
uplifting and supportive; it felt like home. I am the fifth
of eight children and was used to being surrounded by a
close family which I also found in the community of
Sisters.
My parents
are happy about my decision to become a Sister and my
friends have also been surprisingly supportive. When they
come to visit me, they visit the other Sisters too; they
love the Sisters.
There is a
spirit here that just feels right. It's affirming. I
appreciate the presence of the Sisters, their faithfulness
to prayer, the beauty of the monastery and the natural
beauty of the surroundings. Whenever I leave, I'm always
anxious to come back home to Annunciation Monastery.
In the summer
of 2002, I made my monastic profession. I continue to live
at the monastery and work at Saint Alexius Medical Center as
a pharmacy technician. Since becoming a Sister, I have grown
in confidence, in self-awareness and in faith in God.
I love this
life and wouldn't trade it for anything.
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