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Sr Mary Joseph csfn
SR JO’S VOCATION STORY
The story of Sister Joseph’s vocation started at home. Her parents worked hard to make sure that their three children had a good start to life. Above all, they passed to their children faith in God and sensitivity towards those less fortunate. The Bible had an eminent place in their house. Sister Joseph often saw her father blessing himself with the sign of the cross, kissing with reverence the Holy Scripture and spending time reading and meditating on the Word of God. Her mother was a story teller - before she died, she would often be ironing the clothes and telling her older daughter stories about the Nativity or the lives of the saints. Her favourites were Mary and Joseph. Later in life what struck Sister Joseph was that her parents lived what they were teaching their children, and that spoke to her more than any preaching.
Towards the end of high school, Sister Joseph had a few plans for the future, but none of them included being a nun. That was not a style of life for girls her age! She was convinced that religious life was for those without plans. She wanted to do something special, something that was true and could fulfill her restless heart.
Here started the deeper journey of her soul. Looking for direction she started to read the Bible, half an hour every day, with the alarm clock set. The struggle was strong. Which way to go? One Sunday her best girlfriend strongly encouraged her to take part in a vocational day facilitated by the Sisters of The Holy Family of Nazareth. That same day some sisters were celebrating their golden and silver jubilees. Listening to the short stories of their vocations and the uplifting singing, Sister Joseph’s heart started to anchor on an ‘unknown adventure with the Lord.’ The congregation would not accept her yet. She had to finish her schooling, but in the meantime she stayed in touch with the sisters.
Although Sister Joseph kept strictly to herself her desire to join the convent, somehow, people around started to notice something different about her. Even her own father asked her if she would consider becoming a religious after final exams. Sister Joseph denied having any such intention and went dancing at three different school balls instead! She was not prepared at that stage to share her ‘secret.’
Not long after, while reading the New Testament, Sr Jo knew what she was going to do. She finished her exams and entered the convent, very much attracted to the legacy left by the Foundress of the congregation, Blessed Frances Siedliska, to spread among themselves and others the Kingdom of God’s love. Frances Siedliska made a great impact on Sister Joseph’s first years in her religious life. She recalled how her Foundress dealt with impossibilities. When in the 1880’s young Frances was asked by the church authorities to send half of her small community far away on a mission to support families in need, she was troubled. Not sure how to answer this heavy demand, she prayed. She sat quietly in the church, listening to God speak to her heart. Her eyes rested on the image of the Holy Family. She saw the image of the Child Jesus so defenceless and depending on the goodness and mercy of the world. Then, she could see her Nazareth community taking root in the spirit of the Holy Family, a spirit of love and freedom of the children of God. Finishing her prayers she made her decision. The sisters would go to another continent and plant the seeds of love and faith. Frances Siedliska, like many other Foundresses of religious families, was a normal person with a desire to serve God and others, and to make a difference. Sister Joseph, inspired by her Foundress’ spirit, left her family, her country and everything she knew to follow Jesus, her only love.
Armed only with love and faith, would you take the challenge?
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