Sister Edith Bulubisi Wasike

When I reflect on my faith journey, it seems like a dream. Born in Kenya in a Protestant family, becoming a Catholic Woman Religious was not one of my goals in life. In my youth, there were times that I would sneak into the Catholic Church to see what was happening there. At these moments I admired everything that I saw.

During my first days in school, I was glad to attend Mass everyday. This gave me the courage to share my heart's desire with an Ursuline Sister. I had already registered to become a Catholic and was encouraged to take time with my feelings before joining the Catechism class.

After a few months, I joined the Catechism class and started learning about the Catholic faith. It was through these classes that I started to understand my attraction to the Church. I informed my parents through letters, but when I went home for the holidays my father was not happy. To him it didn't make any sense. This didn't stop me from praying for my goal to become a reality. I continued with the classes and joined the Young Christian Society. In the last year of my studies, the time came for me to be presented in the Church for Baptism. But unfortunately, the priest discovered that my home parish was an out-station (local church) of his parish. He decided to send me back to my parish with a letter to finish my classes and be baptized at the local church. This was one of the hardest moments in my life as I knew that my parents were against my decision.

I didn't know what to do, but I gained courage and shared my feelings with my parents. My father was silent for one month. Finally, he asked my mother to take me to the parish priest. During this time of waiting, I was praying for God's will to be done. My parish priest accepted me in the Catechism class for four months. I was baptized and received First Communion on May 20, 2000. This was a very special day in my life. I was filled with joy and peace that I had never experienced in my life. This experience affirmed for me the words of Jesus: "With God everything is possible."

After becoming a Catholic, I felt like there was still an empty space in my life that had not been filled. This was my desire to become a Religious. With several addresses from the Seed Magazine, I wrote to different Congregations. After a week I received a reply from Sister Francesca Kearns, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who invited me for a day of prayer. On my first meeting with her, she advised me to go to college. While attending college, I continued to attend monthly Vocation Seekers meetings and other seminars. I was unclear about my call. Was it to get married or to be a religious? This called me to do some serious discernment on what I really wanted in life, and again God answered my prayer. I decided to become a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

In January 2004, I became a Postulant. For me this was a time of many questions. It was sometimes confusing, but it helped me to get a feeling for the Religious Life. During the Postulancy, I learned how to pray and reflect on my life. During my Novitiate, I learned different ways of approaching the challenges of life. The spiritual year was special and a blessing for me. I had enough time for prayer, work and recreation. It was a year of growth in my understanding of Religious Life, prayer and self-knowledge. I learned to invite Jesus to be with me in my difficult moments and trust in Him as my guide and seek His will in all I do. The second year of my Novitiate was different. There were many activities, but I tried to balance my life. It helped me to experience the ministry and gave me a picture of the future of a Religious.

When it came to preparing for my retreat prior to profession, I was fearful. On the first day of my retreat, I shared my feelings with my spiritual director. He challenged me by saying, "Do you have the courage to believe the promise that Christ will move the rock that entombs us and set us free? He's done it before, He rose."

I also reflected on the scriptures from Psalm 56:4 and Isaiah 12:2; 41:10. They called me from fear to trust. It opened my heart to accept God's will and to serve God as a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, a Gospel of Love. I learned that I must always bear in mind that it will never be easy, but it is only by God's grace that I will accept the hard moments with faith and recognize God in them. I felt encouraged more when I reflected on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah which says, "Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name. You are mine." God gives no guarantee that trouble will not strike me. What He does guarantee is that He will be with me as a tower of strength in my troubles.

Saying, "Yes," at my First Profession of Vows on December 9, 2006 was a much deeper commitment than my Baptism. I have learned that where "Yes" exists no matter how simple it is, there is also a possibility of "No." I am aware of my need for God's help in continuing to live my "Yes." Bishop Dubuis' call states, "Our Lord Jesus Christ, suffering in the multitude of the sick and the infirm of every kind, seeks relief at your hands." I have experienced this call through the students and parents at school and at home. I get strength in helping them in their studies and problems.

I give thanks to God for guiding my journey this far, to the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, to my family and my friends for their support, guidance and prayers. God bless you all.

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