Sr. Myriam Meus, FMA

I first felt called when I was in 9th grade. I witnessed the joy of a Sister and her love for Christ, and I felt attracted to that. Later, as a young adult, I experienced a time of restlessness in my faith journey. I felt that my heart was pulling me toward a more intimate relationship with Jesus. The more I was discovering who Jesus was in prayer and in receiving the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the more I wanted of Him. That urging eventually led me to religious life.

 

Prayer. As I was hearing more and more God’s invitation to become His spouse, I started going to daily Mass and to Eucharistic Adoration. I prayed that God might make His will for my life known to me. Also, having a spiritual director helped me getting to the question: Could God be really calling me to religious life? I think before starting spiritual direction, I was afraid of truly considering this question.

 

I remember in my initial discernment moments I was restless and afraid. One day at a daily Mass, as I was getting in line for communion, in the depths of my heart, I felt that Christ was telling me not to be afraid, to trust Him and take the next step. That was when I had the courage to call Sr. Colleen Clair who was the Vocation Director at that time and tell her that I was ready for a Come and See.

 

The fact that I belong to God. I love waking up in the morning and the first thing that I get to do is to be in the chapel and to have an intimate conversation with my Spouse. I enjoy having good conversations with my Sisters and recreating with them.

 

Before religious life, I did not realize how much I can be attached to my own will and desires. One big challenge that I faced was to let go of my own will and opinions. I often think of it as the way Jesus wants me to learn to be humble and to practice a spirit of poverty. If there is one thing that I need to hold on to, it is Jesus Himself who has called me to surrender my will to Him. Once I put that fact into perspective, I am free to let go of anything.

 

I like Saint Bernadette Soubirous. Her story was one of the first that I read as a young girl. I remember being amazed and asked myself what it would be like to see the Blessed Mother. I also like Mother Mazzarello, our co-foundress. I like her simplicity and humble beginnings. 

I like praying outdoors, listening to the water cascading and the birds chirping. I like being in the front of the Blessed Sacrament at the break of day or in the evening. I love watching a gorgeous sunrise or sunset. Through it all, I see God’s marvelous craft and I praise Him.

 

One of my favorite bible verses is found in Jeremiah 29, 11: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” I often think of this verse when I am challenged to trust in God’s goodness and good will toward me.

 

Do not be afraid to ask great things from God. Nothing is too big for Him to realize. Pray to Jesus and ask Him to help you to grow in virtue and to be great in His Church and in society in general. As Saint John Paul II says, “It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” I would tell them to persevere in their search for the Truth.