| Is God calling me?
One day a friend's chance remark raised an unexpected question: "What if God could be inviting me to leave everything and follow Jesus in the way that religious sisters do?" What a scary enough idea! Yes, the thought of leaving everything to follow Jesus may hold a strange attraction, but fears and stereotypes remain. We are tempted to answer quickly, "Impossible! Not me. I'm not that type!" And we try to forget it. But we make one mistake ...we continue to pray! The time will come when we find ourselves saying to God, "What is the best way for me to live, to love, and to share the best that you have given to me? Whatever it is, I want to say yes to you. Please guide me." Slowly we begin to realize it is not only we who are questioning God, but also God who is questioning us: "And you, what do you really want? What are you looking for?"
If we begin to search, honestly, openly, for the answer to this question we will recognize that although, in some ways, religious life is the last thing we think we want; deep down, maybe, we do desire it. Above all, we want to be found by the one who is searching for us. For this, we are prepared to give everything. If this sounds a bit romantic, it's not surprising when we reflect that, after all, God is the original Lover: God is Love and the source of all our loving.
Am I searching for God?
If you have continued to read this far, is it because you are also searching? Can you pray this prayer: "Teach me, my God, to search actively and generously until my deepest desires become one with yours. Give me the grace to hear your invitation and respond faithfully as soon as you show me the way." This was the prayer of Marie Madeleine d'Houet, foundress of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, when she, too, was searching for her path in life.
Marie Madeleine thought her future was settled when at the age of 22 she was happily married to Joseph. But less than a year later she found herself a grief-stricken widow, expecting a child. She gave birth to a son and called him Eugene. It was through her son that she met the priests of the Society of Jesus, when Eugene was old enough to attend their newly-opened school in Amiens, France, in 1814.
The Jesuit ideal was to walk in companionship with Jesus, sharing his life and mission, cross and resurrection. Marie Madeleine was so inspired by their vision and holiness that she became convinced that she, too, was called to be a Jesuit. Being a woman, she could not! But she reflected that it was not only men who were the companions of Jesus. She found in the gospels mention of women, too, who were his disciples and friends, companions on the journey with Jesus in his joys and sorrows; women who ate and drank with Jesus, sharing whatever they had with him, hearing in his words and his example the message of good news for the poor. These women stood with his mother Mary and John near the cross of Jesus, remaining faithful when all other companions had fled in fear and dismay. These women went to the tomb early on Easter morning, and were the first to hear, believe and make known the good news: "Jesus is alive!" "I want a group of religious women," said Marie Madeleine, "who with me will bear the name Faithful Companions of Jesus."
A Jesuit priest, Fr. Folloppe, had already given her the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus. In those days it was still very new for women to have an apostolic vocation which called them to live and work inserted amongst people and not in a traditional monastery. There were even those in the Church who thought it was impossible for women to live such a life and were strongly opposed to it, but Marie Madeleine did not give up easily. She traveled twice to Rome to seek the blessing and advice of the Holy Father. Pope Leo XII assured her: "This work is not yours, it is God's, and it is God who will guide it." After many trials and journeys, the promise of Pope Leo XII and the hopes of Marie Madeleine were fulfilled. The little Society of Faithful Companions of Jesus spread beyond the shores of France, and today FCJ women of many nationalities are united in following Jesus according to the Jesuit Constitutions. FCJ sisters came to the Philippines in 1988 and the first Filipina members made vows in January 1999.
What does an FCJ Sister do?
Many things, yet only one. She may work with a parish or organization, in informal education, community building and faith development. Promoting spiritual growth through retreats and times of recollection are an important elements in her call. She may work in a school, college, hospital or prison. The education of youth, especially those deprived of opportunity, is a priority. But, whatever she does and whoever she is with, young or old, rich or poor, she tries to be a faithful companion to them, proclaiming the good news that the Risen Jesus is THE faithful companion, God-with-us in the journey of life, the source of everyone's hope, energy and love.
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