SISTER M. CARMELITA

My Vocation Story

I’m a person who would rather “be the story” then put my story on paper. However, when I was asked to write my vocation story, I jumped to the opportunity because I am anxious to share the happiness that I have found, serving our Lord, in Carmel with others.

I am the seventh of thirteen children born to my parents, Leonardo and Christita Torreno. I have eleven brothers; three have died. I also have a sister–my close playmate in our family home.

The most cherished memories of my childhood include the time when my Grandma took me to church against my will because I said that I would rather play than pray. She would ask, “Is it more important to play then to go to church to talk with Jesus?” I was too young to understand the value of prayers. I attended catechism classes to prepare for my First Holy Communion. I was excited and happy that when I saw my Grandma receive, I too wanted to receive Jesus, but my Grandma told me that now was not the right time for me to receive. I would have to wait until I made my First Holy Communion.

I became a catechesis teacher and was active and happy in the ministries within the church. I took part in a pilgrimage to Manila. I believe that it was during this time that I began considering a religious vocation. Young men and women were gathered to hear the message from the Archbishop asking us to consider a religious vocation. I was in rapture, for my knees were trembling and my heart was skipping a beat and all I could hear was ‘walk.’ Before I knew it, I too was before the Archbishop on the stage with others who felt that they had a religious vocation. The Archbishop gave us a blessing. It wasn’t by chance that I was there but by God’s providence. Considering this event a great grace and gift I went home very happy. From that time on I had a great desire to give myself to God as a religious sister.

I was feeling God’s call more profoundly each day. One of my friends asked about my vocation. To say the least, I was totally shocked because I never spoken to anyone about this except to my parents. This friend was a great help to me, for she told me about the Carmelite Order, gave me a book on Mother Mary Teresa of St. Joseph and an application form. I questioned, “how did she know?” After reading and liking what I read I knew this would be impossible for me for two reasons. First of all I had no money, and second, the place was in America where the winters are cold. Thus, I gave up all hope.

However, when my friend visited me she told me “Everything will be alright, just fill out the application and God will take over from there.” How right she was. On March 12, 2007 I began my spiritual flight to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in East Chicago, Indiana. I am at the present time in the Provincial House in Milwaukee starting my first year novitiate. I am very happy, excited and full of joy with the love of God.

Sister M. Carmelita