How long did it take me to decide to become a Religious? ONE
WEEK! How long did it take me to decide to become a Religious? ONE
WEEK!
Dancing, singing - the very loves of my earthly life. However, there were yet greater loves not of earth - but by faith and His Grace - Jesus and Mary, my constant 'companions' --
I had studied voice for some years and performing was part and parcel of what I loved to do. Religious life and a nunnery were the farthest thoughts from my mind. Besides there was Joe - who had proposed and we were to be engaged when he returned from Germany after his tour of duty in World War II.
A confession turned my whole life around. During confession one evening, a priest I did not know posed the question
"Have you ever thought of being a Nun?"
"No, Father, I'm going to be married"
"Then, come to me next week and I'll give you instructions on the Sacrament of Matrimony"
that was THE WEEK that changed my life.
On the way home, I said to my sister who was with me -
"I wonder what it's like to be a Nun"
On my trip to confession the following week - instead of asking about the Sacrament of Matrimony, I asked what it was like to be a Nun.
"How long can you kneel?" asked he.
So, after some words of explanation, none of which I now recall, he asked me to visit the Monastery in the Bronx - Corpus Christi.
That visit led to a love affair that overpowered any idea of Joe. I wrote to him and told him that I'd found a Greater Love. And great person that he was, he accepted my explanation. That was a love affair that started over 60 years ago - and has been a joy throughout my life. Never a moment's doubt - His Grace has been there supporting that decision to enter His House - and which, even now, I can hardly believe my good fortune.
Oh yes! The singing and dancing have not departed from me - Happily and gratefully, I have sung His praise now for 60 years and more.
The tap shoes came along as well - for those times we might have a recreation "show" - And in fact, just recently, I gave those tap shoes to one of our young Sisters who wants to learn. She's already performed the ballet I taught her - a joy for the Community.
And I say the Lord has a great sense of humor for - in the beginning of my Religious Life - the life at that time was so strict, we were not allowed even to hum a secular or religious tune even at recreation. So, that went on for 18 years without my great love of classical music - only plain chant till Pope John XXIII opened that famous 'window'. Did I miss it? Like all else - the Lord carried me through with Joy. And I can only say "His Music" filled my heart and was greater than any other outward melody.
And I reiterate - He has a great sense of humor for it seems right to tell it here. After 59 years in the Religious Life, at 84 years of age, a young man and his musician friend - decided they wanted to make a CD of my singing. They brought all their equipment here. With the Prioress' permission and presence at the first recording session, it was begun -
"A Song in my Heart for God"
And perhaps, that can be the title of my story -
A Song in my Heart for my Beloved
and for which I can never be grateful enough -
Thank You, Lord!
What I did not know and learned only later was that - that Priest - by name, Vincent John Campbell, was known as the "Fisher of Nuns". That question in the confessional -
"Have you ever thought of being a Nun?" was his 'fishing net.'
He sent to the Monasteries very many young women from different cities. He would be transferred to different churches.
One of our dear Sister after hearing that question put to her decided:
"I'll never go to that priest again!"
In those days, the names of the priests were on top of the confessional. So the next time she went to confession, she was sure to go into the other priest's box. He was in that confessional and that was the end of her story.
The Holy Spirit led me here to Menlo Park, our 'daughter House' 36 years ago. We founded Menlo from the Bronx.
May our Beloved Spirit continue to lead each of us.
In the words of our Beloved Brother Walter Farrell:
"May our hearts burst into such a flame
as to make a torch of our whole life."