Vocation Stories

The Thrill of Following Jesus and Making Him Known

An interview with Sr Sheeba Thomas MSI, who has been a missionary in Brazil since her youth.

1. Sr Sheeba, as a girl or as a young woman, what gripped you?

 Growing up as a girl in Kalayanthani, near Thodupuzha, Kerala, I had no grand aspirations like becoming a doctor or teacher. Born into a lower middle-class family with limited opportunities, my father worked as a farmer while my mother was a housewife. In a family of four children, my parents, despite their own educational limitations, encouraged us to excel in our studies. My mother often motivated us by saying, “If you study well, your aunty will take you to Australia.” As a result, I focused on studying, playing, and assisting my parents in their daily tasks. I was an average student. I loved going to church even on weekdays with my younger brother as my constant companion.

I’m thankful to the sisters of our parish for instilling in me a deep love for Jesus and the Church. The Church services were never dull for me. The sisters, after Mass, would guide us children on living each day to make Jesus happy—helping at home, respecting elders, including others in play, and avoiding lies, bad words, and fights. Despite my enthusiasm, I often fell short but never gave up. A cherished memory is the “Cherupushpa Mission League” in our parish, encouraging acts of service, love, and renunciation. This ignited a missionary spirit in me, inspiring a desire to support missionaries through prayer and sacrifice.

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

When we come across different call narratives in the Bible – there is this stereotype called Call-narratives. It is always God who takes the first step. It is God’s initiative and He has a plan for each one of us. All those who are called are picked up from where they are: often busy with their own routine work. They are always given a specific task. There is always a feeling of inadequacy in the people called and they try to escape. Finally, there is the reassurance from God saying that He would accompany ‘the called’ till the end. The following are some of the characteristics that would be visible in a person called by God:

Readiness to do God’s Will:  This is the greatest desire of Jesus: to do the things that pleased the Father (Jn. 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:29; 15:10; 17:4; Lk.1:38; Acts 5:32). The spiritual person is one who walks by the Spirit. Holiness is not an achievement but a growing self-surrender to God. It is not a moral perfection to be acquired but an emptiness before God who fills you. The person is ruled by Grace – like Our Lady. But, like her we have to “let go”. Let God take control of my whole life. I become a person of faith, discernment, actively searching for God’s Will (Phil. 1: 9-10).

Fr Richard Mascarenhas SJ

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

My vocation story begins like this.

I was born as the third child of my parents. I have two older brothers and one younger brother. My father was a dentist and my mother a homemaker.  My mother had a great devotion to Our Lady and had prayed to her daily for a girl child. So, I was born as the third child, the only daughter to my parents. I was attached to my parents. I never left my parents even for half-a-day. There was a spirit of devotion and prayer in the family. We grew up in an atmosphere of great love and blessings of God.

Once, after the 10^th standard final exams, I had gone to Church. After Mass, a certain sister from the Franciscan Congregation came along with me till the bus stop and she kept talking about the people struggling for justice in the North East and other parts of India. Two days later, I told my parents that I wanted to become a nun. They did not believe me! I had never stayed away from my parents. I was loved very much and petted as a child. Since my mother’s teacher was the Superior General of the Congregation of St. Anne, Bangalore (SAB), she suggested that I join them. So, I joined the SABs.

Sr Maria Matilda SAB

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

I am glad to share or recall my vocation story. I am Sr. Gracy from Tamil Nadu. I belong to the Sisters of Charity congregation, also known as Maria Bambina Sisters.

I am from a family of ten children, and I am the sixth child. When I was a little girl, I used to go to church regularly, especially on Sundays, because I was fascinated by the Missionaries of Charity (Sisters of Mother Teresa), who used to take catechism for us and also distribute sweets. I studied in the convent school run by the Coimbatore Presentation Sisters. At that age, I  used to be very sensitive.

When I was in the IX class, I attended the vocation camp arranged by our diocese. There were many sisters from different congregations who spoke about their charism. I was attracted by the Sisters of Charity whose charism is: “Show forth the merciful love of the Redeemer through the works of mercy.” Their mission consisted mainly in the education of girls and caring for the poor girls who are in moral danger. I strongly felt that, if a girl is educated, the whole family will benefit. So, I gave my name to them and returned home.

 After a month, a Sister from this congregation came to my home and spoke about their life and mission. They also fixed the date for me to go to the convent. I was happy, but my father was not. He did not allow me to join the convent. He tried to convince me to change my mind. So much so, that he made my uncle talk to me. My uncle spoke to me saying: “Why don’t you study now? Later you can marry and lead a happy life. You also can give a son to this world.” I replied saying, “Uncle, if I marry, I can be a mother of two or three children; but, if I become a sister, I can be a mother for so many children.” This answer puzzled my uncle. He told my father: “She is clear about her conviction.” So, my father gave me permission to go and join the convent.

Sr Gracy Antony SCCG

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

“For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah29:11)

As I introspected my past years, I realized that God’s call is so unique in me. I do not know from when onwards I felt an inner thirst or the desire to become a religious. This desire was within me, but I had not shared it with anyone. I was preparing myself to be the bride of Christ. I used to ask Jesus for my needs, but most of the times without asking He gave me exactly what I needed—both material and spiritual. Those experiences made a deep impression on me.

I saw that Jesus loves me so much and He understands me very well more than anyone could. He knows me through and through. Jesus has given up His life for me, why should I not give my life back to Him? I just desired only to be with Him and to do His will in my life, nothing else. My family and the parish atmosphere were very conducive and played a vital role to choose this way of life. I am very much grateful to my Catechism teachers that they instilled the seed of faith in me and introduced Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Every Sunday and also during my exams, I used to go to the grotto of Mother Mary in my parish and say to Mother Mary: “Mary, my mother, I know only this much; I am leaving the rest in your hands.” From then on, I started to receive very good marks in my studies. Mother Mary was a source of blessing for me.

Deep Desire

When I was studying in the 8^th class, I told my mother that I wanted to become a nun. She was extremely happy. Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph were rendering their services in my parish. I was deeply inspired by the way they take care of the blind children. Out of this experience, arose an inspiration to become a missionary, especially to reach out to the people ignorant of Jesus. Along with my mother, I approached the superior of JMJ Convent, Athani (Kerala), and expressed my desire to become a JMJ. I was extremely happy that day. I waited to complete my SSLC and during the summer holidays, I attended the ‘Come & See’ programme for two weeks at JMJ Provincialate, Bangalore. That time, I didn’t know much English to speak, but there were so many candidates—about thirteen of them. I was taken up by the sisters’ tender loving care towards me. I returned home and my mother instructed me to pray earnestly, as it was a great decision that I was going to make in my life and, if I chose this particular way of life, I need to remain forever as the bride of Christ. She suggested that I wait for two more years. I obeyed my mother to discern my vocation. After intermediate studies, this desire was stronger in me than before, where I felt Jesus alone is enough for me; nothing else mattered.

Sr Simy Mariya JMJ

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Here is the story of a young man’s search for happiness. He had everything that most people can only wish for—educated and well-to-do parents, an IIT degree, tops jobs, freedom, money, friends, travel. But that is not where he found what his heart was looking for.—Editor

“Who doesn’t want to be happy?” These are familiar lines, aren’t they? We all long for happiness. Often, happiness gets translated in terms of money, position, job security, a good spouse, a wonderful family and so on. The norms one puts for one’s happiness depend on individuals, and it varies from person to person. Being a wanderlust person, I have travelled far and wide, both internally and externally. I would like to describe my story as a journey in pursuit of happiness.

My journey began three decades ago. I was privileged to have a wonderful family. I belonged to a family of four—father, mother, a younger sister and me. I was also blessed to savour the love and care of grandparents, both paternal and maternal. My father used to tell me, “Whatever you become and wherever you are, be a good human being; nothing else matters.” My mother often reminded me never to disgrace God. I am proud that I still cling to these golden words. I was a bit shy. My sister, being an outgoing and altruistic person, taught me the importance and depth of interpersonal relationships.

Hailing from a small parish belonging to the Syro-Malankara community, we were regular for Sunday masses. In fact, I longed for it, because those days we had mass only on Sundays because of the lack of priests. My grandparents inculcated a deep Eucharistic devotion in me. I saw them making their confession invariably every Sunday and receiving Holy Communion with utmost devotion. Moreover, they saw to it that I too am on the right track. At the age of eleven, I became an altar boy. No one invited me or trained me, but one day it so happened that there was no one to serve and I took it as a chance and continued to do so.

Three Longings—and a Full Life

Right from my childhood, I have longed for only three things: to serve at the altar (initially as an altar boy), to travel (preferably on a window seat near the driver) and to drive. I had a normal schooling. I won’t dare to say that those were the best days of my life,  for the reason that it failed to create a deep impression in me. Needless to say, I am not a fan of our education system. It keeps feeding pupils and fails to empower them. The list of Nobel laureates from India, the second most populous country in the world, will substantiate my claim. I was just part of the normal routine and ritual called education and I could only brag about passing out with flying colours and thus securing my higher studies.

But I was blessed in another way—having wonderful friends. Though only a few, they were remarkable. We were never a gang nor a mob following the wind of our childhood and adolescent days, but we were into ideas and ideologies (my philosophy of life originated there and not in my philosophy classes). It was also a ritual those days to ask about a child’s ambition. I was bombarded with this question quite often, “Hey, Abin, what you want to become?” Anticipated answers were doctor or engineer. But I told them “Hmm, I want to become a driver, a race driver.”

For any Keralite student, class X is crucial. Since you are Catholic, you can always expect a question: “Do want to join the seminary and become a priest?” I too was bombarded with this question. My heart told me that you will do well as a priest, but the gut told me no. I went with my gut, and I still have no regret over that. Later on, I came to know that everyone in my family and parish expected a “Yes” from me. Thereafter, I tailed the trend and joined for science group and eventually ended up studying engineering.

Abraham Abin Thomas SDB

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

“Look to him and be radiant, so that your faces shall never be ashamed.” (Psalm 34:5). This was the theme chosen as the motto on my final profession day. It was December 8^th, 2021, the day I like to remember as a memorable one.

I lost my mother two years back. I felt her absence very much. Tears started to roll down. At that moment, I just said, “Jesus, I am feeling very sad. I just surrender to you as I am.” The very next moment, I could experience the presence of my mummy along with Jesus and Mother Mary very close to me. I experienced my sorrow turning into indescribable joy. Throughout that celebration, I was overwhelmed with joy and peace. This was an eye opener for me once again: The one whom I decided to follow never allows me to be ashamed or sorrowful.

Difficult Choice

For me, it was very difficult to choose my vocation—whether to become a religious or choose married life. I saw both of them as good for me. My home is a heaven on earth for me, where I experience the love of God. The way my parents and siblings lived in the family always remain in my heart as an inspiration and motivation.

I really liked religious life as well. I was just waiting to know the will of God for me. So, I completed my 10^th and 12^th, and went to Mangalore to do B. Sc Nursing. There I was acquainted with the Jesus Youth (JY) movement. After completing my studies, I went to Mysore as a JY mission nurse for one year. After that, I went to Mumbai to work as a staff nurse. All these years I was blessed with amazing experiences –loving gifts from a loving God. He was my Father who comforted me in all my troubles, and I was His little tiny creature, who knew only to cling to Him.

Finally, the time came for me to make a decision. I was twenty-four years old. At home marriage proposals were awaiting. Apart from that, many options were open, like M. Sc Nursing and job opportunities from abroad. In the meantime, I got a job in a multispecialty hospital at Calicut.

But my mind was not at peace. How to understand the will of God? Which way of life to choose? I was in confusion. I prayed for forty days. I did not get any answer. I went for a retreat. The struggle within my soul increased day by day. I felt that I was in boiling oil.

God’s OK to My Decision

One night, before going to bed, I said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if I choose something against your will, I prefer to die.’ Then I slept off. That night, I had a dream. ‘Two priestly hands broke the big consecrated Host (which usually priests consume) and dipped in the wine from a chalice and gave to me. I received.’ The next day, when I got up from the sleep, this dream was very fresh in my mind. I became aware that the agony and pain I was going through had vanished and my soul was flooded with peace. I felt very light and thought I might fly.

As the day went on, I realized there was no more confusion in my mind. One choice stood out: to embrace religious life. I got a chance to go for a counselling session. A lady counsellor prayed for me and told me, “You have taken a new decision. God is putting a tick mark on it.” This message was a confirmation for me. “The one who called me is faithful, I am going to be with Him.” This thought was resounding in my heart. It was also as an answer to all the questions that came up.

The whole summary of religious life was presented to me during my novitiate. In the first year, I felt it was an unexpected banquet prepared by God in order to quench the thirst of my soul. I had an unfathomable intimacy with the Lord. I become a drop of blood in the depths of His heart. It was enriched with deep spiritual experiences and moments of union with God.

Sr Bini Thomas SMMI

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Out of the blues came this invitation to share a bit of my journey along the path of Consecrated Chastity. Though this was not in my itinerary, while I am immersed in some other business, I take it as God’s challenge to look inward, and well … to give Him His due!

Recalling his own mandate, the prophet Jeremiah exclaimed: “The word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” (Jeremiah.1:5)

I see this call, not as a deliberate choice that came from me one fine day, when I had to decide how I would like to spend the rest of my life. Looking back, it seems something that flowed naturally into what I seemed made and moulded for, a kind of predefined path that unfolds before you as you walk along. Seemingly so natural, and yet?  Later I wondered how the others around me, my friends and siblings, did not seem to choose it as their way of life.

I am happy to share just a little bit of my story. At the age of sixteen, my SSC examinations just over, I somehow felt I had to move on – whatever that meant. My dad, a teacher, had his ambitions for me, and he took it for granted that the next logical step was to enter a college.

What next?

Though I did very well and had a passion for study, it did not seem to me then that this was the time for it. I did not give it even a first thought, let alone a second thought! Yet, I had not articulated with certainty what that next step would be. There followed three days of reflective silence at home. My mother thought I was unwell. But in those three days I had gone to see a priest of our parish who knew me well. I blurted out: “So, what do I do next?” He was surprised, for he too thought it natural for me to go in for higher studies. I told him clearly and with no reservations that I intended to enter a convent. He was a young priest. He asked me to consult our former parish priest, who knew my family well. In the meantime, he told me there were different congregations, engaged in different apostolates – no one spoke of ‘charisms’ then. It was before Vatican II.

The call within me was so strong; which congregation I would join seemed immaterial to me. When I said that I loved teaching, he pointed to some of the congregations I knew – including the Canossians with whom I did my schooling. I had no special attraction for them – but I saw it as a possible way of living what I felt within.

The next hurdle was: Why so soon? You could wait for two or three years and finish your college by then. Again, I felt the tug that it had to be NOW. I went to see that senior priest. After hearing me out, he agreed that if I felt so strongly that it had to be ‘now’ – then go, now.

Back to the young priest. He told me I should be telling my parents about all this. I must have been really dumb, or obsessed or possessed – for I had not even thought of this. After all, it is my life!  Coming back to my mother, I told her that I was okay; but yes! I want to join the Convent!  A bombshell! She told my father about it. Even today I marvel at their faith and belief in me. Neither of them questioned my decision; nor did they come in the way or try to dissuade me. Then I was told I should approach the Superior with my request. All these steps seemed mere formalities for me – if God calls me, who is to oppose me? The innocence and freshness of a sixteen-year-old!

Anyway, in three months’ time I was already a postulant.

Sr Esme da Cunha FDCC

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Christ’s celibacy found expression in His consecration to universal love, which was His response to His Father’s love.  Jesus experienced this love as extending to Him personally and to all His brothers and sisters.  He realized that in Him,  God was making an absolute gift of love to  the entire humanity.   The response of Jesus to the Father’s love for Him was His celibacy, by which He gave Himself completely to His Father and to His fraternity—the whole human race. “Into Your hands I commend my Spirit.”

         The Father’s love creates, integrates, unites, heals, forgives, reconciles unto fulness and for eternity. Jesus completes this in His life and returns to the Father. The resultant emanating Holy Spirit continues the integrating love of the Father in the disciples. Each of us is called to be a vehicle of that love.

          Two Models

Becoming aware of the loving presence of this Father God in the most suffering and needy humanity, Mother Teresa and Brother Andrew (co-founder of the MC Brothers) embarked on the adventure of initiating these religious orders (Missionaries of Charity).

Mother Teresa was exemplary in living the Corporal Works of Mercy: (1) Feed the hungry; (2) Give drink to the thirsty; (2) Clothe the naked; (4) Shelter the homeless; (5) Comfort the imprisoned; (6) Visit the sick; (7) Bury the dead.  All the time she became more aware she was doing it to Jesus Himself.

Brother Andrew lived the Spiritual Works of Mercy: (1) Admonish sinners; (2) Instruct the uninformed; (3) Counsel the doubtful; (4) Comfort the sorrowful; (5) Be patient with those in error; (6) Forgive offenses; (7) Pray for the living and the dead.

          Every genuine human love entails eros and agape.  In marriage, there is the mutual dependence of partners.  In agape, instead, there is a freeing dynamics.

Volumes can be written on discovering the mystery of Infinity in each suffering person, and in being a caring, sharing presence—a healing, forgiving, integrating presence—to each of them.

           Enlightenment is not only asceticism or detachment from worldliness and self-centred ambition. It is also about being a caring sharing total presence to the needy ones—to bring the other to fullness of life and to have that as a source of joy and completion. This is the purpose of life—just as God the Father loved Jesus and humanity.

Bro Peter Swaminathan MC

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Till I understood celibacy along with the other evangelical life principles of obedience and poverty, I had to struggle to find true joy. Till I understood these as pillars of my spiritual life, I had to grapple with personal relationships with God and people, personal possessions and personal plans. Till I realized the truth of scriptural anthropology, I had confused concepts about celibacy, obedience and poverty. Now really these life principles have become a source of joy in my life. I would like to share my realizations regarding celibacy in my life.

At my diaconate and priesthood ordination, I vowed celibacy. Since I had the understanding that it is connected with the physical instinct of sexuality, I suppressed my feelings and was affected psychologically, trying to sublimate these emotions.

When I was consciously making the anointing of the Holy Spirit received in Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders into real inner experiences, then I realized deeply that celibacy and chastity are sourced from the spirit within. As mentioned by Paul (1 Thessalonians 5: 23), my body, soul and spirit together must be kept blameless. When I live chastity in my spirit in communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:13), celibate life has become a joyful one. Obedience of my will has become a possibility and poverty in my needs has become a reality. While I realized that these three life principles are for every human being, even the married ones when they fulfill their duties towards their partners, celibacy is for me a great opportunity to live a chaste life with an in-depth spirituality.

When my lifestyle is based on minimum needs for a healthy life, poverty becomes easier and happier. When I come to realize that God’s plans for me are far higher than my own, I can surrender my plans to God in total obedience. When I enter into the spirituality of conscience, I begin to live conscientiously, respecting my own body, respecting others and their bodies.  This helps me to be free from self-abuse and any form of sexual abuse.

Fr Panneer Selvam, Diocesan Priest

To read the entire article, click Subscribe