My first retreat with the sisters...

Jesus says, "Come and See!"

My very first retreat with the sisters was a “come and see” discernment retreat. I felt nervous about going and had a few anxieties wondering if I was really meant to go. I had been thinking about religious life for a few years, but never really started pursuing the options. But Jesus' formal invitation to "come and see" came in the form of a brochure advertising the retreat that was given to me from my parishes' young adult group facilitator. I thought to myself, "Well God, this must be YOUR sign to me!" So, with the Holy Spirit nudging me on, I went to the retreat.

Before I came to the retreat, I really didn’t know what a convent looked like inside and I didn’t know what to expect. But once I arrived and stepped through the door of the beautiful Mt. Alvernia Regional House in Millvale, Pennsylvania. I was greeted with many smiles. I saw several other young women who had also ‘taken the risk’ of responding to God’s call. During this retreat I had a chance to meet with S. Kathy and also the sisters living there. I was overwhelmed by their generosity and gracious spirit. The sisters made me and the other young women feel so at home. After spending some time with the sisters, I came to see that religious women are faithful members to their community, have a great love for one another, and like Francis, are advocates for the poor and marginalized and are promoters of peace and justice. The sisters bring the depth of God’s love to all that they minister to… and to me that is very inspiring. Through my continued discernment with them and getting to know the community better, I had grown in confidence that the Sisters of St. Francis was indeed a group of women that I wanted to become a part of.

After learning of their rich heritage, I so desired to work with them. Our community spans many regions within the United States, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Our sisters are also active in Africa and Peru. The sisters had inspired me to want to reach out even farther to those who seek God’s mercy and love.

“The love of God experienced through fraternity, shared prayer, daily living and service, becomes the means which enable us to continue to grow as persons and as a community.” This passage from our constitution resonates in each heart of the sisters. The sisters sincerely and joyfully strive to live the words of Francis and incarnate them in their witness to one another and to the world.
-S. Laura