A Promise 15 Years in the Making

It all started with a question,

“Would you be open to the Lord calling you to religious life?”

With my simple, and surprising yes, I could have never dreamed that nearly 15 years later I would be here, making my First Promises as a Servant of the Cross. While that first yes seemed like such a simple word, my heart was opened to hearing the Lord’s voice guiding me in my vocation.

The idea of discerning religious life first crossed my mind when I was 14. During an Advent retreat that year, one of the speakers at the event asked the youth present the question above: would we be open to religious life? I was surprised to find myself saying yes. Yes, I would be open to whatever the Lord called me to. Looking back, I can see how that first yes started a chain reaction. The desire to seek the Lord’s will for my life grew within me.

As I continued to say yes on my journey, he was preparing me to say the same yes in big things. Would I trust him in my university classes, even when the answers he wanted me to give were not the popular opinion? Yes. Would I continue to pray for my students and do my best as a teacher even when the day did not go as planned? Yes. Would I leave my family and move 3,500 kilometres away to join the Servants of the Cross? Yes.

Some of the ‘yeses’ I have given the Lord have been easy, but most have had an element of sacrifice in them. In making my First Promises of chastity, simplicity of life, and obedience, there are things I am giving up. However, these are Promises that have been 15 years in the making, and I am excited to give my life to Christ. I am saying yes to the adventures he has in store for my future. I am saying yes to being wholly his. I am saying yes to the crosses he will give me, and to the joy that can only come from him. My life has found its purpose, his purpose, to live radically for God.

The Lord never asked me to move mountains; he simply asked for a yes. He didn’t break into my life and tell me to leave behind my old life suddenly. Rather, he asked me a question: would I be willing to listen to his direction? Would I be willing to take one step? Would I give him just this one ‘yes’? With that one ‘yes,’ he was able to ask another question, and I was able to give another ‘yes.’ One yes can be the start of a change of heart, just as it was for me, and continues to be.

On October 4th, 2025, I gave the biggest yes of my life (so far). I am grateful for the many people in my life who encouraged and supported me and continue to do so. I thank the Lord for all the little moments when he taught me to say yes and to surrender, which prepared my heart for this wholehearted YES! The words of Archbishop Damphousse as he gave me my new veil resound still in my memory. He said,

“Receive this veil which proclaims that you belong entirely to Christ the Lord and are dedicated to the service of the Church.”

This struck me. I belong entirely to Christ, and this reality has taken shape in my heart one yes at a time. Lord, you have called me; here I am. Thank you, Jesus.

As Sr. Catherine and I gave God our deepest permission together on Oct. 4th, how may the Lord be inviting you to say YES to him in a new and deeper way in this season? What one ‘yes’ transformed your life so far? What chain reaction of fiats might he be working in a hidden and beautiful way?

Lord, we give you permission to invite us to new and beautiful things. We give you our yes today!