Sister Leah's Story

I was born into a Catholic family where there was a strong sense of faith and much love. I was educated by religious sisters but as a young woman, I never thought that I would become a sister myself!

My faith was nourished by scripture study, prayer and vocations days which I attended.

On one of these days I encountered a Franciscan sister and I then attended one of her community's vocation weekends where young women are invited to 'come and see'. There is no pressure put on participants and there is a freedom in the journey of discernment. During a presentation at this retreat, I was moved by an image of Saint Francis embracing a leper. Something within me sparkled. The Holy Spirit had taken over my life and as I continued my journey in prayer and faith I knew that this was the life I was being called to.

The first year as a novice is spent in prayer, study and spiritual reading. It is a year where we deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. I began to appreciate the silence and how life was becoming prayer and prayer was becoming life. The second year as a novice was spent in parishes and communities of sisters. I also spent time working in a hospital; here I began to sense where my prayers should focus, especially for those who needed God and those who had lost faith.

The vows a religious makes are a call to an intimate relationship with God. Celibacy frees us from loving just one person so we can love the whole world. Celibacy is life-giving and means we are able to love freely, broadly and warmly. Obedience is learning to listen to God’s will within me and in community. Poverty is less to do with material poverty and more to do with poverty of spirit, that there is a need for God in me, a space that needs filling by him. I have received so much of God’s love. It is not for me to hold onto but something I long to share with others.

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