Who God made me to be

Mary with members of the Seeds of the Word Community and St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy Women’s House, along with chaplain, Fr. Cristino, and Bishop McGrattan.

​“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

If you had any kind of typical childhood, you’ve heard this question more times than you can count.

For me, I normally had an answer. Princess, chef, interior designer, and – when asked in my university years – an investment banker or finance prof. 

The last thing I could have imagined I’d answer some day is, “Religious sister.”

Mary dressed as the Blessed Mother for All Saints’ Day in kindergarten

The Catholic faith that I was raised with became my own while I was a student at Mount Royal University. An organization called Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) re-introduced me to the person of Jesus and proposed that the faith was something relevant for me as I moved into adulthood. The CCO students I met had genuine joy which flowed from their relationship with Jesus, and I knew that I wanted what they had. I made a decision that I would centre my life around Him going forward.  

I was still excited to focus on what I “wanted to be,” but this time, I saw my career as an opportunity to witness in the secular world and bring others to God. Sounds pretty good, right? I didn’t think I had any reason to question my plans. There was only one thing: I never thought to ask Him about them. 

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When I was in my third year of university, I did something I’d never done before. I asked the Lord in prayer, “How do You see me?” 

His response? “Sister of Life.” 

My first reaction went something like, “Uh oh.” I knew that consecrated religious were a “thing” in the Church, but it was something that other people did – never something I imagined or thought of for myself! I did what seemed to be the smartest move in that situation…I tried my very hardest to push the idea out of my mind.

Thankfully, God plays the long game with us. He didn’t let me get off the hook and sometimes reminded me of that time of prayer, but He respected my freedom and waited while I continued to plug ahead at my plans. 

It took going on a mission trip to New York City in 2019 to get my attention. While staying and working with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs), I recognized true joy. The men of this community had renounced everything the world places on a pedestal – success, money, the ability to do whatever they wanted – and yet, they were free. 

I thought to myself for the first time, “Maybe, just maybe, what God wants for me could make me happy.” 

If I’m being honest, though, I needed some help to figure this out. Just like kids go to their parents for guidance as they decide what to do with their lives, I turned to my Mother, the Church.

The Church has guided me the last couple years in almost every way possible. Through the sacraments, amazing spiritual parents, and an awesome community of other young Catholics, I’ve been able to draw closer to the Lord and gain more confidence in His call. 
 
I’ve also had the opportunity to live at the inaugural St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) Women’s House. Here, several young women and I stayed with the Seeds of the Word Sisters at their home in SW Calgary and had the gift of being able to participate in elements of their prayer and community life. These experiences helped to debunk some of the misconceptions I had about religious life and filled me with joy at the possibility of being totally His. 

All of these things have led me to my next step in following the Lord’s call…entrance to the Sisters of Life in New York this September! 

​In responding to God’s plan for my life, I have recognized the truth of these words from Thomas Merton: ​

Vocation does not come from a voice out there calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice in here calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God."

I am thankful to the Church for being a good Mother to me. In an age where we’re told we can do and be whatever we want, She has helped me to discover not merely “what I want to be,” but far more importantly, who God made me to be.

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Mary holding her acceptance letter to the Sisters of Life

Written by Mary Serafini for Faithfully. Mary Serafini graduated from Mount Royal University with a BBA-Finance in 2020. Following that, she served as a campus missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) at the University of Calgary. She attends Sacred Heart Parish in Calgary and is a member of the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy. She will be entering the Sisters of Life – a religious community dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of human life – in September 2021, in New York. ​Photos courtesy of Mary Serafini.​