Sister Mary Edith Humphries, O.P.
In His Will is My Peace

One of my high school teachers once told me of how he met his wife and fell in love at first sight. Incredulous, I asked him how he knew. Deep down, like everyone, I wanted to know how to read the experiences in my life. He said confidently, “Oh, you just know!…Don’t worry, you’ll know.” 

So when asked how I knew I was called to the religious life, I have to answer, I just knew. And once I knew, there was no getting around the knowing. 

Now that I look back and try to read the experiences of my life that make up my vocation story, I can see how God has been calling me all along. I’ve always had a love for things religious. Church has always been a place full of hope whose refuge I have often sought. I attended public school, never really exposed to sisters or any type of religious community, but God sent many beautiful people into my life who have led me to God, whether they knew it or not. 

When I was beginning high school, somehow my name got on a list as a perspective candidate for the religious life. I was invited to a convent and, out of sincere curiosity, I visited for four days. I was amazed by the continual turning to God throughout the day, and by the end of the visit I felt a peace that I had never felt before. Attending college at the University of Dallas allowed me to develop friendships with some very dedicated Catholics who helped reform my views of marriage, a sacrament in which I had very little faith, and to develop a deep love and reverence for this beautiful sacrament. 

After college I taught for three years. I went on a retreat at a monastery nearby simply because I needed to get away from it all, and during the Divine Office I was overwhelmed by an incredible sense of peace. Upon leaving the convent one of the sisters gave me a bookmark that said, “In His will is our peace.” After that, I started to look for a community to join. I knew I did not deserve to live such a happy life, but I also knew it was His will for me.  

I found out about St. Cecilia Convent because one of my college roommates joined the community. I visited only once, but that was all I needed to know it was the place for me. I saw the sisters radiate their love of God, and joyfully accept His call to teach and grow in love through community life. The congregation has a well-defined mission; it celebrates its past, embraces the present moment, and enters the future with confidence in God’s will.  

I am inspired daily by the small acts of charity that I see performed by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. I am very thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful examples of Christian life. 

 It is not without a great deal of appreciation of God’s sense of humor and generosity that I contemplate the fact that I am wearing the bridal gown which I will gladly wear for the rest of my life.

Sr. Mary Edith professed her final vows on August 8, 2005.