I never thought about being a Sister; however, after I finished college I attended a parish retreat. The priest that gave it greatly impressed me. He was someone who lived his vocation very well and you could tell he was totally given to God. I believe it impressed me so much because I was so totally given to worldly things, but once I witnessed his example, I wanted some of whatever it was that made him tick, and that was obviously God. Subsequently I felt like God was inviting me to do what that priest had done, to give Him everything, and for me that meant entering a religious community.
I had already been accepted into medical school, so I didn't even think about not going. The call to religious life was in the background, and while in medical school, I began to look at various religious communities. When I met the Daughters, things started to fall into place. I found them to be down to earth, hands on with the poor, and to have a good balance of prayer and service. I did some medical rotations in some of their hospitals and was able to observe them closely as I did my residency.
I have always nurtured a desire to go to the foreign missions. When I reached ten years vocation with the Daughters last year, and after talking with my Provincial, Sister Mary Fran, I wrote to the Superioress General, Sister Evelyne, to ask permission to be considered for the missions. She said YES! I subsequently left my job as a hospitalist at St Mary's Hospital in Troy, NY and in March, I left to go to our Motherhouse in Paris to begin preparations for an assignment anywhere in the world where Daughters of Charity serve those who are poor. I have been studying French and find living in the Motherhouse a great blessing. Many pilgrims come from all over the world to visit the chapel where Our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Catherine Laboure.
During the summer I found out that I will be going to The Congo which made me very happy. (I will also have to learn Lingala)! I am now in Liverpool, England, studying tropical medicine. The course is very intense, but I am also happy to be back in my field as I prepare to go to Africa. One never knows where the path may lead! My advice to you if you're thinking about a vocation? TRY IT!
