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Blessings Abound

I recently had the privilege of spending several months in the Philippines with our Adrian Dominican Sisters living and ministering there. Within that community, one of our Sisters, Sister Arsenia Puno, was charged with leading “vocational awareness.” I can’t imagine finding a person more committed to this effort. 

One of Sister Arsenia’s approaches to her task was to gather a small group of lay and religious women who would meet with local high school seniors. Together, through short presentations and prayer, this little group would assist the young women in exploring potential states of life in which God may be calling them to live: marriage, “blessed singleness,” or life as a vowed religious sister. 

It always struck me that only the state in life without a committed partner was dubbed as being “blessed” in our discussions. I suspect the qualifier may be somewhat of an effort to offer credibility to a state of life that is somewhat outside the norm in that culture. 

In truth, wherever and however God calls a young man or woman to live out their life, the individual is availed the graces and blessings of the state in life he or she is called to live. Each state of being and living is “blessed.”

As Christians, our vocation is to be a blessing and to live into holiness. There is no hierarchy to holiness. Holiness is deeply personal and possible for everyone. Catherine of Siena tells us that we each have the potential of “set[ting] the world on fire,” by simply being who God intends for us to be. 

For some, a life choice is obvious and seemingly a natural progression. Others struggle in making what would be the “right” choice for them. For some, the choice proves to be transitory, and for others, it leads to a lifetime commitment. Reliance on God through prayer and recognizing the hand of God through persons and events in life can be most helpful in discerning a significant life choice. Vocation, I have heard it said, is where personal gifts align best with the needs of our world. It is there that blessings abound and holiness is found.

Where might God be leading you? How is it that you can set the world on fire?

Sister Nancy Jurecki, OP

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "Blessings Abound" on Amazon Music. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

My Story

Each of the sisters shares a unique story as to their call and response to a vowed life as a religious sister. I fondly characterize myself as a “retread.” I originally entered the Adrian Dominican Sisters fresh out of high school many years ago. During the formation process, I discovered myself as far too immature and, frankly, more than a bit afraid of who God might be calling me to be. I chose to leave our congregation and return home.

Over time, I learned that the Hound of Heaven knew me better than I knew myself.  Years later, having had many rich and varied life experiences, I sensed within me a “hole in my soul.”  I had a lot going for me. YET, there was something profoundly missing in my life. That something missing became clear to me as I became more involved with my parish community and as I opened myself to possibility, speaking with trusted friends and listening to the gentle whisper and the subtle prompting I experienced from God through prayer.

Long story short, I returned home to myself by reentering the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Then, older and wiser, I reengaged in the formation process – a process I found to be clarifying and freeing. It was a happy day when I made my public profession and my heart continues to overflow with gratitude for the life adventure that profession has led me to live. 

Ours is a God of surprises. I believe that true fulfillment, in the end, can only be found in following one’s heart, and, more than likely, embracing a willingness to take some risks. Religious life is not for everyone. But for those who feel a pull in that direction, the process of becoming the person God calls you to be can be a clarifying and thrilling adventure.

Sister Nancy Jurecki, OP

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "My Story" on Amazon Podcasts. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

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Mi Historia

Cada hermana comparte una historia única sobre su llamado y respuesta a una vida consagrada como religiosa. Me considero una "reciclada". Ingresé a las Hermanas Domínicas de Adrian recién salida de la preparatoria hace muchos años. Durante el proceso de formación, me descubrí demasiada inmadura y, francamente, bastante temerosa de quién Dios me estaba llamando a ser.  Decidí dejar nuestra congregación y regresar a casa.

Con el tiempo, aprendí que el Cielo me conocía mejor que yo misma. Años después, tras haber tenido experiencias vitales ricas y variadas, sentí un “vacío en mi alma”. Tenía mucho a mi favor. Sin embargo, había algo profundamente ausente en mi vida. Esa ausencia se hizo evidente a medida que me involucraba más con mi comunidad parroquial y me abría a las posibilidades, hablando con amigas de confianza y escuchando el suave susurro y la sutil inspiración que recibía de Dios a través de la oración.

En resumen, volví a casa al reingresar con las Hermanas Domínicas de Adriano. Luego, mayor y más sabia, me reencontré con el proceso de formación - un proceso que encontré clarificador y liberador. Fue un día feliz cuando hice mi profesión pública y mi corazón sigue rebosando de gratitud por la aventura que esa profesión me ha permitido vivir.

El nuestro es un Dios de sorpresas. Creo que la verdadera plenitud, al final, solo se encuentra al seguir el corazón y, muy probablemente, al aceptar la disposición a asumir riesgos. La vida religiosa no es para todos. Pero para quienes sienten esa atracción, el proceso de convertirse en la persona que Dios los llama a ser puede ser una aventura reveladora y emocionante.

Hermana Nancy Jurecki, OP