Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity welcomed six San Miguel High School Seniors from Tucson, Arizona for a discernment experience. San Miguel High School, a Lasallian, Catholic learning community, empowers youth from underserved families through the integration of Christian values, rigorous academics and practical work experience, educating the whole student for college, career and a fulfilling life. The school provided scholarship monies to make this visit a reality. Franciscan Sister Mary Ann Spanjers serves as a Theology teacher on the faculty. Here are comments from them regarding the time spent at our Motherhouse and nearby convents in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
How did your visit to the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity help you discern about the vocation to become a Sister?
- This helped in my discernment because I was able to meet many Sisters and hear their experiences. This helped me realize that there is no “mold” for Sisters and that I could actually fit in. While I was there I felt seen and heard which I don’t always find everywhere so it opened my eyes to a new path.
- The visit to the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity helped me discern my vocation about becoming a Sister by allowing me to see how the life and routine of a Sister looks like and allowing me to recognize that they live the same life as anyone else. They live a life of calmness and peace and it allowed me to recognize that being a Sister would not be the worst and with the experience I will keep the thought of becoming a Sister open.
- The visit to the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity helped me discern about the vocation to become a Sister by giving me a good taste about what the daily life of a Sister consists of and it gave us the opportunity of meeting and gaining insight from the Sisters themselves and their own opinions, life stories, and lessons.
- The visit at the mother house helped me discern my vocation to become a Sister. It is through meeting each Sister that had lived there. Most importantly through the novices since it had allowed me to show what it would be like through their lives.
- Visiting the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity helped with my discernment about becoming a Sister because I had the opportunity to experience what it is like living as a Sister. I would occasionally get thoughts about becoming a Sister, but I was not sure of the kind of work they did or how they lived their lives. My idea of a Sister is that you were restricted from many things, but it was quite the opposite. When I spoke with Sister Concepcion she said that she felt way more free when she was a Sister than when she was a lay person. When I was with the Sisters I felt a lot of peace and joy while I was with them. The Sisters live a life of enjoying life and that is something that I really like about the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
- My visit to the Motherhouse helped me discern about the vocation of becoming a Sister because it gave me more insight into what it means to be a Sister and what their life looks like and how it works.
What was most impactful for you?
- The most impactful to me had to be spending time with the novices. When we went over scripture there was no pressure or judgment and it was more realisic and relatable than I thought it would be. Another time with them was when we were playing games together and I realized no matter who you are, everyone likes to have fun.
- The thing that was most impactful was seeing how the Sisters are very united and loving and are able to balance their religious life with everyday life activities. Nevertheless, it was impactful getting to see how they dedicate themselves to working for the greater good and for those in need.
- The most impactful thing for me would be being able to actually share and experience in the life of the Sisters who so willingly welcomed us. I was impacted by their kindness and love.
- The most impactful moment for me was when we had recreation with the novices. Where it had allowed us to chat, have fun, and get to know one another.
- What was most impactful for me is listening to the stories that each Sister sheared. Each Sister had their own story to share. They shared their own story of how their life came to be when they became Sisters and the process that. I found it meaningful that each Sister had a different story to share, but they all had the same calling for God. I found that to be very special.
- What was most impactful for me was that these Sisters made me feel welcomed and were just normal people. they didn’t put up a persona in front of us, especially the novice Sisters and Sister Concepcion.
Watch for more about the visit of the young women from Arizona to our Motherhouse on our Franciscan Sisters Arizona Blog.
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