Follow Me!!!

Simple words for very big hopes……

The title of this article was inspired by the story of Matthew’s calling to become Jesus’ disciple (Matthew 9:9). A short call, but it can invite Matthew to become a disciple of Jesus. I find these words very interesting, especially when we sing in church. These words are found in a recurring verse of a song about the calling of Jesus’ disciples, and people usually sing this song enthusiastically.

The presence of the FCJM in Suriname brings joy to the people of God, especially in the places where the sisters serve. After more than 40 years, they did not see the nuns, but in the last 5 years, they often see the nuns. The sisters serve God through pastoral activities in Suriname. One of the activities of the FCJM nuns is being active with young people and children. The sisters realize that young people are the next generation of the church and state, so they must receive more intensive attention and guidance. For this reason the sisters carry out various activities that involve young people and children.

These activities include spiritual camping, concerts in two parishes, regular meetings once a month to study together, inviting young people to come to the monastery, joint recollections and others. The sisters also try to always participate in all diocesan activities and involve young people. All this is done to attract the attention of young people so that their faith grows and they are interested in becoming nuns or priests. Suriname has only a few indigenous nuns and 6 indigenous priests. The sisters hope that in the coming years there will be young people interested in becoming sisters.

End of last year, when promoting spiritual vocations, the nuns dress some children in nun and priestly habits. The experience of wearing the monastic habit often remains ingrained in the children’s memories. That happened to me when i was little, so i hope the same experience happens to those children too. The situation in Suriname is different from the country where the sisters come from, so it requires patience, effort, hope and constant prayer. There was no sign of interest yet, but we kept repeating Jesus’ words to Matthew, “Follow Me!!!” whenever we were with young people.

Written by Sr. M. Rafaella Damanik FCJM