SISTER MARY AUGUSTINE

At the age of 19, I left my home and telephone operator job in Maryland and went to New York to seek my vocation. While living with my aunt I took on a few jobs in a store and factory, not to be a burden to her.

It seemed I wasn’t getting anywhere with my urge for Convent life. My aunt said to me that maybe it was not meant to be, but a holy nun once said, “You have a vocation, keep trying.” I decided to go back to my home. Lo and behold I saw in a Sacred Heart Magazine, Carmel DCJ in Wisconsin. I said three Novenas to the Sacred Heart, Blessed Mother, and St. Francis Xavier and asked God to take away my idea of a vocation if He did not really want me in a Convent. I wrote to the Provincial Mother Francis about this and she wrote: “Come right away.” So I did.

As the train was approaching, so clearly my ears were ringing loudly, “Whoever has left Father and Mother, brothers and sisters, lands, for my sake will receive a hundred-fold.”

When making my final vows I thought my heart would burst with gratitude for this precious gift and gratitude remains in my heart, for in Carmel DCJ I found true happiness. Praise God!

Sister Mary Augustine