I'm making perpetual profession on October 4.
I'm excited about my friend Jarcia and her family coming from Alabama. Jarcia is a friend of mine from college and is originally from MO. I remember when I went to their wedding. I drove 7 hours from southeast MO to northwest MO. I arrived on Friday, the night before the wedding. While there, I met this guy, and he and I stayed up ALL night talking. I remember thinking he was the one who would break the curse. We were going to fall in love, and he would break the curse of my being called to religious life. I believe I was 19 at the time and just wanted God to leave me alone. We did talk all night and you know a person becomes pretty open and willing to share just about anything at 3 in the morning. The wedding was one of the most beautiful I had ever gone to. After being up all day and night Friday, going to the wedding, and helping out at the reception, I then drove 7 hours back to southeast MO. I did have a friend who rode with me about 5 hours of the trip. Her snoring helped keep me awake for driving. I believe I had lots of caffeine, the windows down, and the music blaring the rest of the 2 hours home. I arrived home sometime Saturday night and probably didn't wake up until Monday morning.
It's interesting to think of how I viewed religious life before I learned the truth about it. Before I took the time to visit places, meet sisters, and learn the facts. It's also interesting to think of how I viewed God's calling me. I prayed for God to leave me alone. I tried to explain to God that I was being confused with a girl down the street. Her name was also Katherine. Same name, but spelled differently. Surely God would make this correction.
The first person I told I felt called to religious life was my friend Jill. Her response was priceless. She said, "What a blessing." She saw the beauty right away, but it took me years to realize it. In fact, I had spent years fighting it, trying to get out of it. It was a blessing when I was finally able to surrender. Not surrendering, giving up, but surrendering, giving in to a higher being. I've been in the community 7 years now. I know, without a doubt, that I am truly blessed.
Dear Sister Catherine Marie,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your big day! I too have a similar experience. I dated a guy for four years while I was in college, he actually graduated from the same college, the year I started. We also dated for a year after I graduated. We went to three weddings in one summer, and I caught the bride's bouquet at two of them. I kept thinking to myself, that we were in love and that we were going to get married.
Then when we broke up, I thought hmm... what is God trying to tell me? I have been feeling called to religious life since high school.
At the time of the break up, I was like, God just leave me alone. But He kept nudging me.
I will remember you and your family and friends in a special way today. I am so happy for you. I hope I get to see you when I fly up there for the Benedictine Life weekend in January. Take care and God bless.
Alex Larsen(in North Carolina)
Alex,
ReplyDeleteThat's a neat story. Trying to figure out what God is telling us is tricky at times. Too bad there aren't clearer signs, like lightening bolts and messages in the sky. For me there were clear signs, it just took a while for me to admit it. Whatever we do in life, we have to follow our hearts. I'm happy to hear that you will be coming in January. Blessings on your journey.
Sister Catherine
Sr. Catherine-
ReplyDeleteYour final profession was awesome! I'd never been to one before yours and it was absolutely amazing!!! Congrats... hope to see you soon!
Anna