The most important thing in life is God. I, however, didn’t realize this until I began applying to colleges. Sure, I’d gone to Mass on Sundays, and sought, out of love, to please my pious mother, but I’d never been a particularly devout person. Yet, as I looked for the perfect school I asked myself what I wanted to learn, and realized that in the end only one thing matters. I began to search for a school that would teach me the TRUTH.

The Fall found me at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. The campus life was truly inspiring. For the first time I began to say the rosary on my own, to attend daily Mass, and to delve into discussions of the faith with people who actually believed the same things I did. Never before had I encountered a community so committed to the will of God; they even consulted Him before asking someone out! In awe, I followed their example.

Ever so gradually, I began to lean toward religious life, but warned God that He’d really have to convince me because, although I’d wanted to be a nun back in the third grade, I now “liked boys.” I constantly weighed the pros and cons of married and religious life. Despite feeling pulled in one direction, I held back, afraid. I made myself miserable with thoughts of what a BIG DECISION this was. 

It wasn’t long before I realized that it wasn’t my decision at all, but God’s plan. Yet how was I to know what He had planned? So I began to quiet my own desires, and to LISTEN. I met the Dominicans that Fall. The more I learned about their spirituality, the more obvious it became to me that I was born for this. They had an all-consuming love of study, mystery, Truth—and the strong desire to share it; a joyful disposition tempered by a love of prayerful silence; a strong devotion to Mary; and the determination to grow in the love of Christ. I even played the harp: the congregation’s emblem. 

Everything began to fall into place. This was His plan, His call—and what an invitation -- to be the bride of the One who was source of all love and perfection. 
Oddly enough, the clearer things became to me, the more anxious I was. How frightening to think of leaving everything behind! I clung to my friends. One particular friend and I grew especially close, and began to have a beautiful, spiritual friendship. Yet we BOTH still felt called to something higher. To be able to walk away from such a promising relationship was but a final confirmation. I was finally convinced. As we parted, I began to pray fervently for his vocation, and he for mine, and I entered the Nashville Dominicans.

The prayers paid off. From the moment I arrived I’ve been overwhelmed by the Sisters’ ardent love for Christ and the powerful ways in which they express it. One by one, my fears have been laid to rest. For example, after my first visit, I was worried that living in what seemed to me a mansion would make me worldly. Yet living here has shown me that the Sisters are much more materially poor than it seems. More importantly, they’re poor in spirit, and it shows in the way they live in community.

At every level, whether through speaking or teaching philosophy or by giving joyous example, these Sisters are shining into the darkness of our times the piercing Light of TRUTH. I hope to live in that light.

Sr. Mary Shiela professed her final vows on August 8, 2004.