Around the age of seventeen I perceived a call for religious life. Carmel, I knew a few snippets of it through Thérèse, but it didn't go far. My parents were not against a vocation but in apostolic life. I got in touch with a sister and one thing leading to another I joined her apostolic congregation. Then, after a few years, a time of crisis came. I thought a lot about the future but before taking any decision I prayed a lot. For me it was important. As I was in the chapel in prayer, I heard myself say "Carmel". And I reply tit for tat: “But that's not what I'm looking for! I was then arrested for two years, which allowed me to pray and reflect and it was only after that that I entered Carmel.
My favorite picture: The image of the Holy Face of the Shroud of Turin accompanies me constantly, and I join Therese there: “look at Jesus in his face, there you will see how much he loves us” (LT87).
My favorite phrase from the Bible : Compared to this look, this passage from Isaiah also really lives in me: "Do not be afraid because I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are mine, you mean a lot to me, you are valuable and I love you. Fear not for I am with you. (Is43, 1 and 4)
Therese of Lisieux for me : What attracted me to Thérèse was the love in the little things, but I also love Thérèse of Avila very much. I didn't know much about her other than her visions and spirit flights…but as soon as I started dating her, I discovered how human and down to earth she was. She tells us a lot about Jesus' gaze.
A Carmelite Sister
