Vocation Stories
God’s Unfolding Plan: A Sister’s Journey
God has His own plans; He doesn’t choose the capable, but rather enables the called. That’s certainly how it was for me. In school, I wasn’t the most talented or diligent student, but I managed to pass from one grade to the next, eventually completing elementary school and then a vocational school specializing in bookbinding. When I was 15, my mother passed away. Five years later, my father died, leaving me at home with my older brother. I worked and took care of the house as best I could. I started to think about my life’s path: marriage, a family? I looked around, dated, but God had a different plan. He wanted me to join those who would bear witness to His love in today’s world.
In May 1988, which was a Marian Year, I first met the Seraphic Sisters. On the very day I met them, I decided I would become one of them. I believe that was my “Follow Me” moment. It happened in Legnickie Pole, where I had gone with friends at the invitation of one of the sisters, Sister Benwenuta, whom my friend had met at the train station in Wrocław. The sisters in Legnickie Pole welcomed us very kindly, hosted us, treated us to lunch, and as we left, we went to the chapel for a short prayer. There was an image of Our Lady of Sorrows there. I felt as if Mary from that image was pointing her finger at me. In that moment, I knew this was my place, my “here and now or never.” I had no doubts whatsoever. It was a Sunday. When I got home on Monday morning, I submitted my resignation from work. I was working for the Polish Red Cross at the time, assisting elderly people in their homes. I enjoyed that work, and the grandmothers liked me. I ordered a phone call from the post office (there were no cell phones back then) to Oświęcim, to the provincial house, asking to be admitted. The Provincial Sister wanted me to come and see what the religious house in Oświęcim was like and for us to get acquainted, and so it happened. She then set the admission date for July 4th. This startled me a bit because it was only May, and I wanted to join right away, but now I had to wait until July. I had already resigned from work, had to work for one more month, then take vacation. Without telling anyone about my decision, the time flew by until July. And so, my adventure in the Congregation of the Seraphic Sisters began on July 4, 1988. After taking my vows, I was sent to work successively in the sacristy, in a kindergarten, in Belarus, and 25 years ago, I was sent to work in Texas, where I currently serve in a nursing home in Kenedy
A Recent Encounter with God’s Presence
I’d also like to share a recent experience of God’s presence in my life. Last April, I was diagnosed with breast cancer—malignant, with metastasis to the lymph nodes. I was afraid of what awaited me; I couldn’t imagine it. My whole body resisted death; I feared suffering. I surrendered this entire illness to God and prayed that His will be done. My calendar filled up quickly: appointments with oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, genetic testing, chemotherapy—it was truly a lot. I always had the conviction that God was close and never felt abandoned by Him, but I was very scared.
My fellow sisters were a great help; they were with me the entire time. I wasn’t alone. However, I knew I had to go through this myself. The sisters and many other people prayed for my healing. I believe that intercessory prayer has great power. God touched my heart, healing, as I believe, my body, and He healed and continues to heal my soul. He assured me that He would be with me every moment, that He would walk with me through my Calvary, that I wouldn’t be alone, that He would always be with me. I had peace, even though I was afraid. I had about four months of chemotherapy. After the first session, my hair fell out in handfuls. Then came surgery and radiation treatments, which I finished on December 27th of last year.
Trusting in His Promise
God kept His promise; He was and is present in every moment of my life. I might fail or stray, but He will never fail, never break a promise. I think I can say that God used cancer to open me more to His closeness, to His Presence. He, and only He, can safely guide you and me through life. All it takes is trusting Him and allowing Him to lead. And He will use every possible means to reach the depths of our hearts.
Trust Him and commit your life to Him.
Praise the Lord! May God be glorified in everything!
Sister Bogumiła Teresa Miklos
Answering the Call: My Path to the Seraphic Sisters
Every vocation is a unique and profound mystery of love between God and a person. God reveals Himself, speaks, invites, and calls. And there are people who, if they truly desire it, are able to hear God’s voice, recognize it amidst many others, and then respond and follow Him. I was blessed to be raised in a Catholic family, so from a young age, I learned that beyond my parents, there was a God who loved me, cared for me, and to whom I could always turn. I grew up in a small town in the Subcarpathian region of Poland, in a large family with six sisters and four brothers.
My own vocation began to develop early on. The first significant moment was my First Holy Communion, where I truly felt God’s love. Throughout elementary school, my faith grew stronger. After finishing elementary school, I didn’t want to go to high school; I wanted to join a convent, though I didn’t know which one. My parents disagreed, and I had to apply to high school. I applied to a business technical school in Dynów, but I wasn’t accepted. At the time, I thought, “The Lord is showing me this isn’t my path.” One day, my mom was going to Przemyśl and took my application papers, telling me, “I’ll find you a school, and you have to go to school, not some convent!” That’s how I ended up at the High School in Dubiecko, where I met the Seraphic Sisters.
After my first day of school, when I came home, my mom asked who was teaching religion (In Poland we have such a school subject). When I told her it was a nun, I could see she was a bit surprised and disappointed. My mom definitely had other plans for me. In my third year of high school, I started attending retreats with the Seraphic Sisters. I was immediately drawn to their Franciscan simplicity, their joy, and their dedication to serving the poor and those in need. I must admit, their religious habit also captivated me. At home, I’d say I had to stay at school for extra assignments, knowing I couldn’t tell them I was going to the sisters.
Throughout my life, God also gave me various unexpected signs. For example, one day on the bus home from school, I met one of The Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. She asked me, “Is Jesus not knocking at your heart?” I thought, “Yes, He is.”
After graduating high school, I spent the summer helping with farm work at home, as we had a large farm. I remember the day I received a letter from Sister Bernadetta, a Seraphic sister, inviting me to join the Congregation on August 28th. I hid the letter, though my mom suspected I’d received something from Przemyśl. She started telling me to find a job, or she’d find one for me. But I waited for the right moment to tell her that I already had plans for my life—or rather, that God had plans for me.
On August 28th, I went to the sisters’ convent with nothing. The sister was a bit surprised, but I told her I’d come back on September 1st because I needed to tell my family and get the necessary documents. This was a difficult time for me, a time of trial. When I told my family I was going to the convent on Monday, my parents and siblings asked me, “Why a convent? You can pray at home, go to church, live in the world. Are you crazy? What do you need a convent for?” But God gave me strength and drew me closer and closer. Even my parish priest didn’t want to give me a recommendation because he felt it wasn’t the right congregation for me; he wanted me to join different one. But I knew the Seraphic Sisters were the only congregation I wanted to join.
I entered the Congregation on September 1, 2003. Looking back today, I can echo the words of Psalm 145: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.”
To those who are reading this, especially young people, I wish you courage. The path of following Jesus Christ is a path of life, love, and joy. Do not be afraid; the Lord is with you.
Sister Zofia Łazuka
