Forever “Yes”

By Sr. Aemy Esther Soo, FSP

“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live,

but Christ living in me.” Galatians 2:20

In this blog, I will share my journey into religious life. I will explain why I chose this path and what it has been like so far. I hope that my story will inspire others to follow the voice that they are called to be.

What has been part of your life?

Becoming a nun was never my dream career. However, as young as I am, at the aged of 5, I have an intimate relationship with the Lord even though I am not yet a Catholic or Christian. My mother was the figure who introduce me, to the Love of Christ. I felt that it was my relationship with the Lord that invited me to embark on this road that is less traveled by many. This is so significant to me! I could say, the call of God is indeed irrevocable.

My family’s religious background

My family was a covert Catholic. Before, we don’t embrace any religion so to say paganism. Most of my relatives, cousins, and even my grandparent are Buddhist. It was the Lord’s amazing love that made a difference in our family. I was a baptized as Catholic at the aged of 10 years old together with my family; my parent and one (1) of my younger siblings on Easter Vigil night way back on 3rd April 1999.

Why I decided to pursue a religious life.

I remembered from the moment I was immersed in the water of baptism; I have an intense love for the Lord who called me to belong to Him forever. However, with that young aged, I do not know what it truly means……. After a year of my baptism, another significant event that build up my calling to follow the Lord was an Invitation to attend a launching of the “New Cassette Album of the Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Conception” (FSIC) in our parish. I met an FSIC sister, who sang for the album and inspired me with her indescribable joy. Her sweet smile that I could not forget. She even told me if I wanted to be a sister, come, and look for me. The desire did not fade, even after many years. The intense desire to offer my life to God remains until I keep on searching for my life after my college graduation.

How my religious beliefs have changed over time.

I see my calling to religious life as a precious gift from God. Thus, it is my freedom to respond with courage to this precious opportunity. The Daughters of St. Paul also help me much in the discernment of my vocation, which is a remarkable experience. Though leaving behind my family was difficult, God’s graces are sufficient and overflowing. The grace and the love of God surpass all the challenges I encountered in responding to this calling. Calling, therefore, is unique, all of us have a vocation, but we need to rediscover the gift of God within ourselves. Hence, I am forever grateful for the formation process I am undergoing.

What is religious life for me?

Over the years, it helps me to discover what religious life is for me…it is not to do my own will but simply abide by His holy will, to be what God truly wants me to be. It is a life of abandonment, self-emptying in all things and situations, expecting discomfort, pain, and suffering, and going out of one’s comfort zone and giving without expecting anything in return. This speaks through the embracing of religious vows which mark my consecration to the Lord. I quote what our founder; Blessed James Alberione said: “The greatest freedom is obedience, the greatest wealth is poverty, and the greatest love is chastity.” Furthermore, embracing religious life widen my opportunities to grow deeper in selfless giving each day to be more Christ-like through apostolate, community life, religious vows, studies, and prayer life.

What I enjoy about being a religious

Living as a young junior professed, there are many things I enjoyed about being religious. But above all, is the mission itself and the community living. Being a missionary here in the Philippines as a young, professed sister, is incredible. I have lots of experiences that helped me to adapt to the local cultures and the needs of the people here. I went to many places far away from the city or in the city itself for family visits and book and bible missions. I learned a lot from people from all walks of life. Coming to community living, especially during religious gathering events where I have chances to mingle with other religious sisters embracing the same calling. Besides, inside the convent, community living is unique which is different from any other vocation. This is the moment when we have recreation, bible sharing, meals, washing, and prayer together. Though we are different because we are coming from different upbringings, we were called by the Lord to embrace this vocation and for the same mission. Nevertheless, I treasure so much the silence and precious moments in the daily Eucharistic Visits and prayers where I can commune with the Divine Lord in all circumstances of my life. Prayer is the essence of religious life that I not only enjoy but treasure most as it is like the breath of life.

What challenges did I face in my religious life?

The challenges include living far away from home and family, adapting and adjusting to new cultures and different personalities of people wherever I will be assigned, and learning new languages. Besides, the scarcity of vocations challenged me to live my religious consecration more faithfully and with dedication in full freedom and love.

My advice for those who are interested (Conclusion)

In conclusion, I would like to encourage young people to deepen their relationship with the Lord through prayer, attending the Holy Eucharist as much as they can, meditation, and volunteering themselves in any charity work in their discernment process. Lastly, do not be afraid if you feel the call, take the courage to respond, for the grace of God is sufficient and overflowing. God is waiting for you. The church needs you! Be not afraid.

Come and see! Come and taste the goodness of the Lord.