It was in the third grade that I remember deciding to be a Sister. I was intrigued and strongly drawn to the way the Sisters in our parish school seemed so joyful over the simplest of everyday life activities. I found this outlook on life very appealing and refreshing.

One Sister in particular took seriously that it was up to her to find someone to take her place when she died. When she entered the classroom her first day, she asked God in her heart to “give me one of them.” Her eyes fell upon me and she thought, “Give me that one!” It was years later, on the day that I was professing vows for life, that I heard this story. I believe God did hear and answered her request. She certainly did her part, by taking me under her wing, taking me places, asking me to help her after school, taking trips with her as well as introducing me to “unfamiliar convent food”! I was her constant companion in and out of town. I felt physically and spiritually nourished by the actions of this Sister who prayed for my vocation to the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

From third grade until I joined the Adorers at age 19, my life was as natural and full as all my friends and classmates. I enjoyed dating, dancing and going to parties; however, I never doubted the Call I heard to Religious Life. I read and heard about other Congregations but I decided to be an Adorer. The Adorers were also among the few Religious Congregations at the time who were open to accepting African-Americans.

I am a vowed professed religious for 47 years. I still find the simplicity of life, the challenges and daily communal living of Religious Life, fulfilling. I spent nine years ministering as a primary grade teacher and several years in child care serving adolescent deprived, dependent and neglected children. In 1992 I began and enjoyed being in a pastoral and administrative service to my Sisters as a Provincial Councilor. Before and after my two terms as a Councilor, I ministered as a Pastoral Assistant in several parishes. I remember ministering in the Bronx, N.Y. as very special. I experienced ministering with several multi-racial and multi-ethnic peoples in the same parish, it was like a mini-United Nations. It was wonderful!

Bringing people together through a reconciling, forgiving presence is important and central to the Mission of the Adorers. “The suffering, dying and rising of Christ was Jesus giving His love for us in reconciliation and forgiveness for our sins. As Adorers of the Blood of Christ, reconciliation is a strong charism. We strive to direct our energies toward helping people get along with each other, possibly helping them to see some aspect of their life that could be done differently. This calls for learning how to be reconciling and forgiving.

For me and for African-Americans in general, this congregational charism of the suffering Christ, his death and resurrection is close to who we are. Such indignities couldn’t keep us down and it is why people can still go on and be joyful…because they trusted, found strength and believed in Jesus who suffered like them and overcame it all. They couldn’t keep Jesus down either.

Being Black in a predominately White Religious Congregation poses some of the same challenges as anywhere else. Regardless of who and what we are, we are part of the culture and prejudices we came from. If you have your own personal strength and beliefs in yourself, then you can meet anyone on an equal basis.

How does someone, whether African-American or not, know if religious life is right for them? I would suggest they “Come and See.” They should come and spend some time in one of our houses. It might be helpful to come a couple times to meet some of the Sisters and talk with them about who and what we are all about, what our charism is, what our spirituality is and gather as much information as possible to help them make a decision.

Knowing about the charism of other congregations of religious is important, as it helps provide a broader base for knowing where your gifts fit best. Most important is spending time praying and listening for God’s Call. The next plan of action would be to consider joining the congregation and taking the first step as a candidate. I would be happy to sit with them and pray with them, listen to them and help them to discern.