Is God calling you to religious life? Sometimes hearing the stories of sisters assists one in this important decision-making process. Two Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk tell their stories below.
For
me to be an Ursuline today means to be another Angela. To be imbued
with the spirit and charism of Saint Angela Merici of the 16th century,
and Rev. Fr. John Lambertz of the 19th century.
As I take a look into the life of our holy Mother Saint Angela, I get the glimpse of her as a God-experienced person. She associated herself with the suffering humanity. She extended her knowledge in the area of education, moral values, economic development and empowerment of women. She gave great importance to good family life. She was confirmed by God's presence in her life, which enabled her to deepen the faith of young women. Prayer, fasting, penance and multiple works of charity made her the ministering contemplative of her era. We, her daughters, are trying to keep up this essence of her charism by combining contemplation and action in today's busy world.
As an Ursuline in today's world, we have to revive the spirit of Rev. Fr. John Lambertz too. Like Saint Angela, his target was the family: to confirm the bond of unity and bring Christian values in the family. Like Saint Angela and Fr. John Lambertz, we try to put on humility and meekness in our attitude and dealings with others. We strive to be God-experienced persons.
In the midst of the glamour of today's world there is no one to hear the cry of the poor, lonely, homeless, rejected, frustrated, wounded, voiceless and those who are hungry and thirsty for love and acceptance. To be in companionship with the suffering humanity we need to be another Angela. We need to be prepared and trained to get involved in the life of God's people.
For me to be an Ursuline is a call to walk in the footsteps of Saint Angela and Rev. John Lambertz, keeping their spirit and charism alive in the 21st century.
In this way I, as an Ursuline, participate in the mission of Jesus to make His Father known and loved, and establish God's kingdom on earth.
Sr. Nirmala Samuel, OSU
Angela Study House,
Purulia Road, Ranchi
It
is to be a woman who returns always to the Source, which places her
in the path of our foundress and takes to heart our charism.
To be an Ursuline today is to draw her strength from the Word of God. To give life at all costs. Ex: not to live as a stranger in the situation of violence, injustice that exists in our country. It is to be capable of compassion, to put oneself on the edge with the marginalized. It is to build unity.
Sr. Maria - Louise Zawadi
Vice Province of Congo
Communauté Ste. Angele à Bukavu
Dem. Rep. of Congo