My Religious Vocation: “Transformed by Christ, We are Eucharist Alive”

Before TV, computers and social media, I was hooked on comic books. My hero was Superman and it was my dream to become like Lois Lane, a reporter in love with Clark Kent whose true identity I got to know as Superman. 

Since God does not give us a childhood dream without the possibility of making it come true, I became a Felician Sister, worked as a journalist and fell in love with the greatest superhero of all times, Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

Growing up in the heart of the pre-Vatican II Church, I was uniquely blessed.  All of my teachers for all of my classes (except gym) from kindergarten to grade 12 were Felician Sisters. 

Their joy in the Lord was contagious. They were smart and holy, caring and prayerful and very much in love with Jesus far beyond the fictional Superman. 

Also, my local parish of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Jersey City, was rich in Marian and Eucharistic devotions. 

In the months of October and May, we, the school children, would attend daily rosary services and walk in Eucharistic processions drenched in incense, singing the traditional hymns while gazing upon the monstrance. 

With the loving support from my parents and the inspiration of their Catholic faith, I, at age 17, entered the Felician Sisters, an international Franciscan community dedicated to cooperating with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world. 

Unfortunately, unlike my times the paradigm has shifted.  Young people now grow up in a very secular environment making it difficult to hear God’s call to consecrated life.  Yet. God in his wisdom, keeps calling forth the gifts of each person to serve Him according to His Holy Will. 

In my 70 years as a Felician Sister, I was given countless opportunities to see the face of Christ in countries throughout the world. Whether in the classrooms or the board rooms with scholars or scoundrels, with celebrities or felons, the abiding presence of Christ was among us. 

Both the wise and the foolish, the wealthy and the poor all reflected for me the powerful and merciful love of Christ. All ministries became Eucharistic. 

As our religious congregation is now celebrating its 150th anniversary of its founding in Poland, I have been nurtured by generations of saintly and courageous Felician Sisters whose mission takes them wherever there is a need especially among the poor. 

Our Foundress, the Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, challenged us to read the signs of the times and to respond. In recent years, Sisters have answered this call by opening ministries in Haiti and in “little Haiti Florida,” seeking out migrants lost in crossing the desert into Arizona, bringing hope to prisoners in solitary confinement, working on projects to end human trafficking, organizing activities to implement Laudate Si and sustainability, and many more. 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit to, “Widen our tent for charism and mission,” I have a deep appreciation for the devoted lay men and women who covenant with us as Felician Associates. 

Despite dwindling numbers, age and illness. I am grateful that my sisters and associates still have a vibrant vision to be “Eucharist, Sister and Servant to all.”  In the spirit of synodality, we continue to meet, pray, discern, listen with a wholehearted commitment to God and the Church. 

The province of North America is under the patronage of Our Lady of Hope.  We entrust to her our “Future of Hope.”  In the Immaculate Heart of our Mother Mary, together with all my Felician Sisters and lay associates, I am privileged to proclaim…  “Transformed by Christ, We are Eucharist Alive.”  

I humbly ask you to continue to pray for me and for all the women and men who have totally consecrated their lives in love to Jesus Christ. May we faithfully embrace our mission to make God known, loved and glorified in all and by all.

In addition, please ask the Lord of the Harvest to open the hearts of other young people to discern a vocation to consecrated life and the courage to pursue the call. The Felician Sisters are ready to welcome women who would like to explore the possibility of a calling to religious life.