‘It Is God Who Calls’: Sr. Priscilla’s Vocation Story

Growing up in a Catholic home, it was obvious to desire to become a religious but to me it was quite a remote idea. I talked often about marriage until my mother nick-named me ‘My married Lady’. My siblings who were in renown Catholic Colleges were seen to be those destined for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. How it happened that   I ended up attending a Baptist College, remains a mystery to me.

During one of the summer holidays, a Vocation Camp was announced to take place in St. Bede’s College, Ashing, next to my home, and all my siblings were poised to attend.  At the neck of time, it suddenly dawned on me ‘Hey Priscilla, you will be left alone to carry out all the house chores, go to the farm, cook and run all the errands in the house”. Hmmm! It was this fear of responsibility that led me to be caught up in the web of Franciscan spirituality. I sprang to my feet and to the embarrassment of everyone, insisted, “I will also attend the Camp”. Everyone rebuked and mocked my request yet I persisted. Just like a prophecy, the Lord spoke through my elder brother who said very casually, “it is good to let her attend the Camp. Who knows, she may end up being the only one to make it”. The next challenge was how to get the registration fee, which was 500 FCFA(less than 1 USD). My mother eventually had to borrow from a neighbour to give me to attend the Camp after seeing how intent I was.

And the prophecy came to pass.

While at the Camp, we watched the story of the life of St. Francis of Assisi presented by the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis, giving up all his wealth for the sake of Christ and it ignited such an unquenchable flame of fire in my heart. Yet my challenge was the fact that I did not have the material wealth to give out as Francis did.  I told myself, I was going to simply offer my whole life. The change appeared dramatic to the amazement of everyone who had known and heard me before.

After obtaining Ordinary Level Certificate in the Baptist College, the fire was still burning strongly; yet I felt that all this was due to lack of exposure. I decided to continue with the high school out of the village so as to be challenged in my decision. The desire kept burning and finally, I joined the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis, convinced that I was called to be one. As I write, I have celebrated Silver Jubilee in the congregation. I see the prophecy of my brother fulfilled as I finally made it alone in the family.  I don’t remember any regrets about answering the call.

To someone considering Religious Life, I would say that Jesus calls you as you are, and he can use anything even your weakness to address the call to you. All you need is sincerity of heart and you will sail through regardless of its challenges. Being a TSSF, I try to remain simple, unassuming and reach out to others in a faith-motivated generosity, sharing my own riches; time, talents, ideas–like St. Francis of Assisi.