Choose your language:
Choose your language:
“Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ.”
As I was reflecting what story do I want to write that might inspire someone who reads it – the first thought was to write about how Jesus captured me through an unknown language!
It is the story of my calling to CSJ family in a very strange way. It was in the beginning of the month of July. A fresh morning as usual. I went to attend the Eucharistic celebration in our Parish Church at Bolghatty in Kerala (Southern India). I did not know the importance of the day, but as homily was over, I saw a sister kneeling before the altar and reading out something (renewal of her vows) in English. At that time English language was equal to Greek for me. (This religious Sister was none other than our late S. Stacia Francis whom I had never seen before.) I did not understand a word that she pronounced, but something happened inside me. That was the gentle touch of my Lord, though at that time I was not able to understand why I experienced the thrill within me.
This experience remained with me till the end of the Eucharistic celebration. When I received Jesus in Holy communion, I asked him to show me the meaning of this experience. After the Eucharist was over, I felt the Lord was revealing to me what this experience meant – it was His special choice of me to join this particular Congregation. Then with a new courage I asked the Lord to open up a way for me. Right enough I got a chance to express my desire to Sr. Stacia Francis that I want to go with her to join her Congregation. I hadn’t disclosed this secret desire of mine to anyone in my family. I have a big family of 12 siblings - six boys and six girls.
Sister Stacia then called me privately to talk to me and see my motivation. She knew my family very well. She spoke to me very gently and reverently and yet the questions she put to me was as though to discourage me. Later when I reflected, I understood, that was to test my motivation. She told me that I have to go to interior villages, sometimes sleep under the tree, will not get good food, will not be allowed to come home whenever I felt like seeing my dear ones, about the extreme climates, etc. I was ready and willing to face all these challenges in order to fulfill my dream of following the footsteps of Jesus. Finally, she decided to bring me along with her.
My next move was to get the permission from my parents and all my dear ones. Though there were many objections the Lord cleared them all. Though life was not very easy going for me the Lord who called me preserved me. I’m proud to be part of this large family of St. Joseph of Chambery. I deeply cherish the memories of S. Stacia (RIP) whom God chose to be a channel for me to strive to achieve my dream of living for Him and His people, though it is not the way I wanted, but as He willed.
S. Sheila Rose
Pachmarhi
