The Decision: Sr. Olivia’s Vocation Story

God talks to people at different times, in various places and circumstances. It takes attentive listening to recognize and distinguish His voice from other conflicting voices. It is amazing how God uses insignificant / ordinary things and events to reveal his great plans for us. My vocation story and religious experience testify to the assertion that: “God speaks to those who take time to listen and He listens to those who take time to pray” (Anonymous).

My vocation story has been marked by the experience of the blessings and goodness of God. It has equally been marked by trials, and at times failures and disillusionment that strongly challenge me to undertake a more determined formation of conscience and to make life transforming decisions. In my early teenage years, my love for God and the desire to do something special for Him was nurtured by my mother who had inter-alia a strong devotion to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

The Call

Growing up as a teenager in Shisong Parish, Kumbo Diocese, North West Region of Cameroon

l was as ambitious as any teenager could be. l had my own secret plans. Back then, very few parishes in my diocese could afford the luxury of having nuns. Hence, l felt truly blessed to belong to a parish that had both female and male consecrated persons. As a young girl, l took a lot of interest and delight in going to church and participating in church activities.

What attracted me to the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis (TSSF) was the sky blue veils worn by the TSSF novices. The combination of the blue veil and the white habit spoke directly to my soul and instilled in me a deep desire to become a nun in order to wear the blue veil. Upon completion from Secondary School, l applied to join the TSSF and my application was granted.

Although l had the full support of my biological family when l was discerning my vocation to Consecrated Life, l also encountered opposition and discouragement from friends and peers. Conversely, the urge to become a nun and to wear a sky blue veil were way stronger than the discouragement and the desire to stay in the comfort zone of my family.

Vocation Journey

My vocation journey started in 1990 with the pre-candidacy (Aspirancy) As an aspirant, l worked diligently and happily at the convent reception. My diligence was partly due to the formation l received at home and partly motivated by the saying of Sr. Maria Gorreti Asoh , one of our formators: “sanctify your work, let your work sanctify you and let your work sanctify others”. Conscious of the fact that whatever l was asked to do was the will of God, l carried out every assignment meticulously with extraordinary devotion just like Thérèse of Lisieux who did ordinary things in extra ordinary ways.

After the Aspirancy l proceeded to the Postulancy. From the Postulancy, l qualified for the Novitiate and my dream of wearing a sky blue veil became a reality on the day of our solemn reception into the Novitiate. The feeling of finally wearing the sky blue veil was glorious. The two years of the Novitiate formation were characterized by a more strict life style, learning about the Religious Life, Franciscan Spirituality, mission and charism of our Congregation as well as the Church History and the Constitutions of the Congregation etc. After two years of intensive formation in the novitiate, l was granted permission to profess the simple profession vows.

Being in the T.S.S.F, community has been a very enriching and fulfilling experience which has offered me opportunities to render pastoral /catering services, teach, be an administrator, and a counsellor. Community Life, has been enriching and challenging. Community/recreational activities are usually refreshing and energizing.

The Vow Of Obedience: Challenges and Blessings

Religious obedience has been one of my greatest challenges because it entails letting go of one’s plans to embraces God’s plans by doing what one would rather not do an d taking a leap of faith in the dark. One of the major challenges l had was to study abroad as a Temporary Professed Sister and to profess my final vows in Italy far away from home, family, and friends who could have shared my joy with me.

When l returned home after completing my studies, l was appointed as Principal of a newly acquired Secondary School. Although the challenges were enormous at the beginning, l was blessed with a strong team of very dedicated and diligent staff. Gradually but steadily, we saw the student population grow steadily from 50 to 700 students within eight years. I considered this not only a blessing but the fruit of obedience and trust in God. When l was transferred from Regina Pacis Comprehensive College, Nkar where l was the pioneer Principal, l had to take over the administration of St. Joseph’s College, Mambu Bafut where l made several threatening experiences. Nevertheless, the conviction that l was carrying out God’s mission and not mine kept me motivated and gave me the courage to move on.

When my term office as principal was over, my superiors asked me to do a Masters’ Degree in Psycho-Spiritual Counselling in Kenya. This was indeed a transformative experience and the knowledge gained at the Marist Pscho-Spiritual Institute has helped and is helping me enormously in my present ministry which is psycho-spiritual counseling (of my fellow sisters and so many people who are traumatized by the horror of the ongoing war in Anglophone Cameroon).

Standing on the shoulders of our founders

Walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and Venerable Maria Heuber, our Foundress, l have learnt not only to see, praise, and reverence God in creation but also to see Him in everyone and experience. This disposition has made me steadfast and resilient in spite of the boundless challenges.

The fact that my personal charism of seeing and serving God in all, especially the anna whims of society resonates with the charism of our congregation which is empowerment of the disadvantaged and openness to the will of God in the signs and needs of the time, keeps me motivated. Hence, l am passionate to bring God’s love and give hope to those whom l encounter daily. Psycho-spiritual counselling gives me the opportunity to blend my personal charism and congregational charism in a way that is both fulfilling and rewarding.

My response to God’s call is one of the most fulfilling and life-transforming decisions l ever made.