Our paths are mysteries of Divine Providence, leading us according to God’s will, even if we do not understand it. (Mother M. Clara)

I was born on 18 October 1978 in Caransebeș/Romania.

I grew up in Slatina-Timiș, a town at the foot of the Semenic Mountain, with Roman Catholics of Romanian nationality, in a Christian family with a sister, a brother and two wonderful parents who gave us their unconditional love, understanding and support., I experienced the love of God and human beings in the bosom of our family.

In our small village, all the people knew each other. It mattered a lot what other people thought and everyone pretty much did the same things.

But I felt differently and didn’t let myself be influenced by what others thought. I was a happy child with many dreams and hopes, and I wanted to do something different in my life.

Even though I didn’t physically travel during that time I travelled a lot and far through the books I read and my childhood dreams,.

Whenever I talk about my vocation, I feel great joy and yet I find it hard to talk about it. For me vocation is and will remain a mystery, for which I am grateful to God.

I felt called to religious life at a rather young age, perhaps even too early to think about such things. The first time I wanted to become a sister was at the age of 12. I didn’t even know what that meant, I had never met a sister and yet I wanted to become one.

At that time our church was a meeting place for people. Most of the families belonged to the church community and participated in Holy Mass. I was also a frequent church goer and an active participant in religion classes.

It all started one October evening on the Feast of St. Francis of Asissi. In our parish church there is a picture of St. Francis. The parish priest told us about his life. I was so touched that from that moment on I wanted to live differently. I don’t know how what or how much I understood, but this is when it all began. These thoughts  didn’t leave me at peace. After almost 3 years, many attempts and always hearing from others that I was not made to be a sister, that I was too full of life (cheerful), that I still too young to make such a decision, I nevertheless joined the community of sisters in Caransebeș, Francisciscan Sister Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at the end of 1993.  I didn’t know then where this road would lead me, or what this road meant. With an open heart, with joy and faith I began this adventure of my life together with other young women and the Sisters who welcomed us and shared everything with us, their way of life, their time, their faith, their example. This is how the time of formation began for me. This is how I tried to get to know and deepen the Franciscan rule and the charism of our Congregation and all that consecrated life means. Because I was so young, my formation took quite a long time. With small steps I moved forward, and I connected and identified myself more and more with the community and with consecrated life. In 2004 I made my perpetual vows, choosing as my motto for this celebration: Here I come, Lord, to fulfil your will.

In fact, I have always tried to fulfil the will of God, and I still try to do it today after 31 years. The most important thing is that in all these years I always felt God’s presence in my life.

The time I lived in the Congregation and worked in different communities, has been a time of blessing and grace, of trial and challenge, of growth and maturation, spiritually and humanly.

My formation is not over, but each day that is given to me so that Imay become as God created me and thought me, with all my talents and limitations.

I wish for myself, for our Sisters and all people to discover what it means to be people created in His image and likeness, what it means to see ourselves as God created us and thought us, and if we discover this then we can also say like St.Francis: If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.

After so many years of consecrated life, I don’t know if I was created to be a Sister, but what I do know is that I am at home. I am at home in my heart, in my community and in my congregation. I am at home in this world.

Peace and all good!