To Choose God's Way is my Vocation

By JB. Li Huajie CSsR

What has been part of your life?

Vacation begins with God’s invitation and the willingness of humankind. My vocation seems to be like a mysterious book, which is full of God’s grace and redemption. I remember my vocation experiences began in my childhood.

My family’s religious background

As a child, I dreamt of becoming a priest, so that I could be able to celebrate Mass and serve the people in the church and give them “Holy Communion”. I remember I used to give some pieces of Chinese bread to my playmates in my hometown when I was young and they enjoyed receiving them from my hands, and I shared this story with my parents and relatives right away. At that time, my parents were curious about that act and then they asked me what my dream for my future was, I told them that my goal my dream is to become a priest. The two women who are instrumental in influencing me to know God are my mother and my grandmother. I followed my mother’s devotion to praying the rosary every night and attending Mass every Sunday. The second most important woman in my life is my grandmother from my mother's side who was faithful and zealous. In her lifetime, she shared with me her religious beliefs and practices and has set a good example of being righteous and compassionate.

How my religious beliefs have changed over time.

I once had a life-changing dream that even to this day I keep meditating on it. On that one special dream of mine, I was saved through the intercession of Our Blessed Virgin Mary from evil. I am not certain how old I was when I had that dream but the image of it remains very clear to me. One some individuals with bad intentions were looking for me, I do not know the reasons why and so I run. Eventually, I arrived at my grandparents’ house. I was so anxious and tried to look for someone’s help. And so, I started to pray to Mama Mary, (Hail, Mary…). When I looked up at the wall, I saw a picture of the Holy Mother and the infant Jesus; she tenderly gazed at me and told me to hide in the river. The river was near my grandparents’ house. According to Mama Mary’s instruction to me, I must hide in the river as a fish can live and breathe in the water so that those looking for me would not find me.

Mother Mary saved me. Until now, every time I look at the icon of our mother of Perpetual Help, that experience in my dream always appears in my mind. The icon of Our Mother Perpetual Help is not popular or well-known in China; not many people know it and are familiar with it. I believe that it is my duty and responsibility in the future as a Redemptorist Missionary to make her known to all the Roman Catholic Chinese. I dream to proclaim Our Mother of Perpetual Help in China so that many people can acknowledge and pray for Her someday.

Why did I decide to pursue a religious life?

Gratefully, in my life’s journey, I came to know about the Redemptorist Congregation. A sister who is from a contemplative congregation introduced me to a Vietnamese Redemptorist priest in China in 2014. I shared with him my willingness and my desire for the priesthood, but he did not recommend that I apply right away. Rather, he encouraged me to discern more about it and reflect on my desire whether indeed the call is from the Lord or it’s just my perception. If it were from God, then he would recommend me to join the Redemptorist community after giving me two years of reflection and discernment. On June 30, 2014, the Redemptorist Community in China accepted me. It meant I had to give up my job as the director of the kindergarten to join to the community. But before choosing to join religious life, I had very poor health. God is my doctor who healed my illness twice. I consider those healings miracles. Therefore, I decided to go to Jesus’ way. Jesus is my hope and my savior that is why I choose him.

What is religious life for me?

Religious life for me is where a mature individual should take serious responsibility for his own life choices especially in discerning one’s vocation, even upon pursuing religious life or during the moments as a religious member.

What do I enjoy about being religious?

Living in the novitiate is one of my happiest moments. It’s a year of knowing myself more on a deeper level and listing to God’s voice and His will for me.

My advice for those who are interested (Conclusion)

I want to follow Jesus and His path toward becoming a Redemptorist, which is a humble individual with the Redemptorist under Jesus’ feet. This is also my wish to all who are discerning to be a Redemptorist Religious.