"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)
Unlike Mother Mary, most of us are filled with many faults and shortcomings -- often causing us to not only lose sight of God in our lives, but also de-prioritize Him. Living in a society that is filled with countless distractions and always having an endless list of to-do's, we easily get lost in the midst of daily life. But in the seemingly chaotic whirlwind of life, God gently manifests Himself in the silent recesses of our hearts. (cf. 1 Kings 19:11-12). He comes knocking and inviting us to answer His call -- for He wants to reveal to us the plan He has for us since eternity. Thus begins the discernment process of many young women. The beginning of a journey where she searches for the lost pearl...and will do all in her power to obtain it. (Matthew 13:44-46) As Pope Francis said, "[consecrated religious] are simple men and women who caught the sight of the treasure worth more than any worldly good." (World Day of Consecrated Life, 2020) Our prayer for you is that you discover this pearl that you are seeking: your vocation. As you discern God's Holy Will for your life, may you always look to the Holy Mother of God for guidance. She, who most perfectly followed in the footsteps of her Son, is the model for not only every Christian, but especially for all consecrated religious. Like her, may you respond with an unconditional, irrevocable fiat.
With the prayer of Pope Saint John Paul II, we entrust you to the unfailing guidance of our Blessed Mother as you embark on this journey to discover God's Holy Will for your life:
To you, our Mother, who desire the spiritual and apostolic renewal of your sons and daughters in a response of love and complete dedication to Christ, we address our confident prayer: You who did the will of the Father, ever ready in obedience, courageous in poverty and receptive in frutiful virginity, obtain from your divine Son that all who have received the gift of following Him in the consecrated life may be enabled to bear witness to that gift by their transfigured lives, as they joyfully make their way with all their brothers and sisters toward our heavenly homeland and the light which will never grow dim. We ask you this, that in everyone and in everything glory, adoration and love may be given to the Most High Lord of all things, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Vita Consecrata, 112)