You did not choose me but I chose you. (Jn. 15:16)
This is my favorite Bible Quote which I cherish every day as I rise to the sound of the bell to be in the Chapel to join my Sisters in adoring GOD. I am Sr. M. Angelina (named Laisa at home) from Connoor, but basically my Parents are from Thrissur, Kerela. My Parents Jacob & Lilly were blessed with 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls and I am the 4th Child. My Father worked very hard for our family, earned by maintaining vegetable stall near our house, my Mother was very supportive in all his work. I don’t remember them exchanging even a rude word to each other and every night no food without the family Rosary. In spite of his hard work he never showed his tiredness when we approached him. My Dad was looking out for marriage proposals for my Sister and me. But I had a desire to become a Nun, when I saw my senior friends who radiated such Joy when they came to the Church or when they came to college for studying they attitude and life impressed me. I never expressed it to my Parents – but during one of the First Friday Service in our Parish St. Sebastian’s Church, I prayed earnestly to the Lord to show me the way, I felt God calling me very strongly. The next day I went to meet the Parish Priest and told him about my intention, he mentioned about the Adoration Monastery, as Sisters came frequently to buy provisions. I was deeply moved when I heard about the hard life that they lived, solely living on the Providence of God and their commitment to pray all through the day and night before the Blessed Sacrament. I was secretly packing my bag to go for the 3 months Come & See Period. My Parish Priest came home and informed my Parents on hearing it my Dad was upset and dint want me to go - My mother & the Parish Priest said if the Lord has put in the desire no one should stop. My Dad accepted amid much tears and pain. (1992 September) It was a pure Joy that I experienced during the 3 months and I was very sure that the Lord called me here. I studied in a Tamil Medium School and could speak in Malayalam as it was my mother tongue. But to speak in English, pray and read in English – I was terrified. Thanks to the Mother Rosarii who was the Superior, she was gentle and understanding, helped me very patiently – the example of the Sisters as I have heard outside was really exemplary, the silence, prayer, adoration, work all seemed a blessed life. I returned back in 1993 January as a Postulant and one of the moving experience for me was Mother Rosarii became seriously ill with Jaundice and she was in coma, when they took her to the Hospital I wept bitterly as I was told that she will surely die. All the Sisters joined together in prayer and fasting and the Lord was so Good to her and to us – this made me believe in the power of intercession. I started praying for my family and God really blessed them – my Sister and brothers were settled and were blessed with beautiful children, they gave my name as a sign of Thanksgiving to God. My Parents were then so happy about my commitment and later said it was because of your sacrifice the entire family is being blessed – I really Thank God for everything. I was encouraged by the Vocation Story of my Sisters here- how God calls each one so uniquely – at times I felt that there was nothing special about my Call or did I make a mistake? The Good Lord each time confirmed to me that it was HE WHO CALLED ME! And that’s the reason I am still here… In 2002 I professed my Solemn Vows along with my 2 companions – a wonderful experience for me & to all who were part of the Ceremony. Many wonder what is this life all about? And I have only one answer – Its all about Living the Command of LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR. How is that possible is the next Question? By our Life of Commitments we profess that we love God above everything and everyone and by the life of Prayer & Intercession we love our Neighbor with all sincerity – praying not just for the temporal and material needs (it surely is part of) but much more – an experience of God which will make each one closer to God very deeply and will be able to talk to God as to a Friend. What a life it will be and I pray that all of you may experience it .. With Love & Prayers Sr. Mary Angelina
2 Comments
I describe my vocation story to be an adventurous one Every vocation is unique - the purpose & call of each person is different. I describe my vocation story to be an adventurous one. My name is Sr. Maria Rose from Valparai, Coimbatore, named as Anitha at Baptism, my Father Loganathan and my Mother Irudaya Mary with one younger sister Glory.
My home is situated on a mountain, beautiful falls of Adarapalli, scenic view of Aliyar Dam and the adventure of being visited by wild elephants, tigers, cheetah’s, cobra’s etc.. I have innumerable incidents of accidents in my life where I have faced death right from my childhood and was saved miraculously, which I now believe to be for the purpose of God. At the age of 8 I was playing with the dog, cheetah wanting to attack me hid behind the bush waiting, dog trying to protect me pushed me inside the house and allowed itself to be carried away by it, there are many, many such incidents I say it without exaggeration. The tribal people near my home always amazed me as I saw them walking with dangerous animals like tigers and it did no harm to them – it reminded me of the Garden of Eden as Adam & eve walked fearlessly with all God’s creatures. My family are devoted Catholics, and the Parish just next to our house was built by my grandfather and it has been our privilege of taking care of Parish. My childhood as far as I remember was spent in the church more than my home. Simple understanding of God yet deep, profound faith is what I saw among the people and it became my faith more than the understanding of the religious practices. My Friend Priscilla went to the Poor Clares for come & see program and my Parents asked me to accompany her and join if I like it – I was indifferent and was not interested at all. I started working in a cotton mill and the adventure continued – my hand was caught up in a machine and in a second was rescued by my friend who put off the huge machine, I escaped the fire accident that burnt the entire factory – it makes me tremble at the thought of it and grateful for the life that God blessed me. My thoughts turned towards Religious Life and I felt that God may be calling me for this life. Without my Parents knowledge I came to the Convent along with my Friends Mom. The Mother Superior was so good in her approach and I felt that she really communicated with God very intensely. I felt drawn to this life and the few moments I spent in the Chapel left me speechless and convinced. St. Francis, who is known world wide as a lover of nature and relating to the entire creation in a supernatural level calling all created things as Brother & Sister appealed to me very much – I thought of my life incidents with the creatures. When I broke the news to my family – there were very happy and supported me all through. Separation was painful but the Joy of belonging to God so radically overwhelmed the little pains. In 2010 I entered the Poor Clare Monastery, Sunny Holm, Kotagiri. The Lord blessed me with two Companions who joined the same year after me and the adventure still continues… In 2013 I pronounced my First Holy Vows and here I am serving the Community as an Extern Sister along with 2 Sisters as Externs. I love my God who has blessed me with LIFE, VOCATION and the ADVENTURE. God bless you & be with you.
Sister Marie herself was puzzled and dint know what explanation to give at the moment - with an outburst of not so – built -in -thought came up with a wonderful statement “Each Apostle remained ORIGINAL, following the ORIGINAL Dream of their heart but for a Higher Calling and Purpose to which God called them”. Eg. St. Peter the great Fisherman – caught the first catch of men “Fisher of men” after the Pentecost. St. Mathew who is said to have left the Tax Table when Jesus calledhim with the pen in his hand to which is used to write the Gospel, St. James ambitious to sit at the side of Jesus, remained the ambitious to die for Christ first of all the Apostles.. The list goes on.
We must have heard in many sermons, conferences & seminars of Being the Original Copy of ourselves! What is that ORIGINAL of ourselves that is called for a Higher Purpose of GOD! The time may be up for us anytime to reach our last abode of maximum 9 feet grave – Lets be part of the Good Plan of God that He in His Goodness wants to do through us with the Original of ourselves which He created us to be. Ending with the famous Quote “You are the Masterpiece of God”. A Fact which mostly is cherished and yet easily ignored. May God enlighten us – Amen! |
UpdatesNews and other updates Archives |