On the Path to a Vocation to the Religious Life

Several people have asked us and I've been mulling this post for a bit, not knowing how much I would/should reveal, but the time has come.  On January 23rd Oleander will officially graduate from high school and will have done so a semester early.  We are so proud of her and her academic achievement.  She will graduate with a 4.0 and will have completed more course work than is required by the state of Pennsylvania to graduate.  She will not have a graduation ceremony (as per her own request), and has already had a graduation party thrown for her by the sisters she has lived among these last 3.5 years.

What next?  At the end of this month, Ollie will enter as a postulant with the Sister Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará. I will be traveling with her and witness her entrance on February 2nd. She could not be happier.  From the day she could talk, she has spoken of her desire to become a nun.  She has held firm to that desire her entire life--nearly 18 years now.  Her journey is far from over and is not without obstacles.  She continues to have a few unresolved health issues.  She has come so far in overcoming her extreme introversion and shyness, but she still has a ways to go.  The Sisters have been astounded and pleased with the stubbornness perseverence she has exhibited thus far in pursuing this vocation.  She is a marvel.

Please keep Olivia in your prayers.  The next several months will be a true test of her resolve.  God has much planned for her, and we are sure his work in her has only just begun. Viva la Virgen! Viva!

Olivia with her former classmate, now Sister Clemente at the Novitiate in Upper Marlboro.