From the Summer 2022 edition of The Little Way magazine, St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission (reprinted with permission)
Six of the young women currently discerning religious life with the Queenship of Mary Community in Ottawa have worked or studied at St. Therese Institute at Bruno, SK. Three of them recently shared how their time at St. Therese helped them to discern this vocational calling.
Sr. Kaitlyn Deck, Apostolic Novice (St. Therese 2014-2017, 2019) – who is originally from St. Peter Parish, Unity, SK – will celebrate her Temporary Professed Vows in Ottawa on Aug. 15, 2022, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“I’ve wanted to be a religious sister since I was around 16 years old. The way of life at St. Therese taught me to encounter Jesus in each little task with a ‘yes,’ ultimately paving the way for my vocational ‘yes.’ Some days, my ‘yes’ to love looks more like a ‘maybe,’ and then I’m shaken by my own inability to love. That’s when I remember the teachings of St. Thérèse, how Jesus delights in my small efforts, and wants to be everything for me. All He asks of me is a radical willingness, an honest struggle, and a firm reliance on Him. The path of love marked out for me by the little way is a constant joy and challenge in my life, and it’s the context in which I want to live out the gift of my vocation.”
Sr. John Paul Marie of the Trinity, Temporary Professed (St. Therese 2009-2010) – Nicole Mireau – is originally from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Saskatoon, SK. She will celebrate her Perpetual Profession of Vows in Ottawa on Aug. 22, 2022, the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A Mass of Thanksgiving for Sr. John Paul Marie of the Trinity will also be held in Saskatoon with Bishop Mark Hagemoen presiding, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
“ ‘The duty of the moment’ is a key teaching from St. Therese which allowed me to know and believe that I could be fulfilled humanly while being espoused to Christ. One regular day, while sweeping the staircase, I made an effort to enter the duty of the moment. Right then, my heart began burning, so filled with love that I had to grab the railing to brace myself. Filled with joy, I desired to spend the rest of my life in pursuit of the One who alone could love me from the inside out. This teaching is my daily bread as I live out my call to be a bride seeking union with the Bridegroom. Christ is the Bridegroom of all of our souls. He is waiting for us to turn our faces to Him and be made radiant. Be not afraid.”
Mikaila Sullivan, postulant (St. Therese student, 2020-2021) is originally from Powassan, Ontario
“My discernment in coming to the Queenship of Mary Community (QMC) was one of those unusual stories. After a fantastic year at St. Therese Institute, I went back home to Powassan, Ontario. Life was quiet, simple, and predictable. Then suddenly God spoke. In September 2021, a family-based retreat was being held at my home farm. There were many young families, a few priests, and four QMC sisters attending. At St. Therese, I learned through daily experience the powerful and beautiful gift of listening during Eucharistic Adoration. I listened to the Lord on this retreat, and two weeks later found myself living in a convent, never having thought of religious life before that moment in Adoration. God is full of surprises!”
Find out more about the Queenship of Mary Community at www.QueenshipofMary.ca
Find out more about St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission at www.sttherese.ca/