Sister Lucy Jacintah Mueni

My preparation in joining Religious Life began when I was a young girl or perhaps it may have started earlier than that. As a child I enjoyed living in the community of young girls and boys in my neighborhood, where I learned the meaning of sharing. I never wanted to see people fight although at times I could fight for my rights and those of other kids. Many people were an influence in my life, especially my parents. My sister Cecilia was a very committed youth in my local church. Many people wished that she would become a Religious one day. I also was sure of this since she was very active in church activities and the family choir. This made me not want to publicize to anyone about my desire to become a Religious, except to God. I knew that my father would not let the two of us be Religious since he was not baptized at that time.

My desire broadened through my Primary and Secondary education where I met many young girls and boys whose ideas were for and against religious life. I neither dared to let their views discourage me nor share anything about my feelings about the life I mostly desired. I kept it a secret in my heart. At times, I got confused between what I needed in life, i.e. marriage or sisterhood, and sometimes the two could balance. So, what next? I decided to finish school. Christ was my animator at this time since I couldn't share with others. Only He knew what was burning in my heart.

I used to read many religious articles, though in secret, that I got from friends about the brotherhood and priesthood. Things became somehow open when I was elected as the secretary in the parish, where I met a lady who gave me the Seed Magazine to read. Seeing the charism of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and my desire to serve God in the poor and the suffering as a nurse and a Sister, I felt that was a prayerful moment. Then I desired to know more about the Congregation. I wrote my first letter to the Vocation Animator and after three weeks, I got an invitation to a Vocational Seminar. I didn't attend because I feared my parents' reaction. I did gain courage and made the final choice to "go and see" what Religious Life was like. This was during the second invitation for a Vocation Seminar by Sister Francesca Kearns.

That seminar gave me a go ahead to begin Religious formation and preparation for what I heartily desired: to become a Religious. The good thing was that I was no longer by myself. From that moment Jesus came to me through Sister Francesca who was to be my animator on behalf of Christ. She contributed much to who I am today, along with the rest of the other CCVI Sisters. During my preparation of saying "Yes" on the 10th of December 2005, I reflected about the words that one Religious told me prior to becoming a CCVI Postulant. He told me to take a pen and write down the words that he was going to tell me. I said I didn't have a notebook or a paper to write on but he kept insisting that I had one. "If you have really made your final decision to say 'Yes' to Religious Life, I assure you that the 'Yes' you take is not a 'Yes' of comfort but a 'Yes' of tears, and if you persevere, heaven will be very near to you. Write this in your heart," he said.

Though very innocent in my intention towards serving God with the suffering people as stated in the Charism, I knew deep within me that despite the tears, there will also be times of rejoicing and singing. I will meet and see God. It was a sure 'Yes' of tears, as well as a 'Yes' of joy and love of the Incarnate Word as I experienced in formation and in the apostolate. For me, it was Christ, through his mercy, who helped me begin to realize my desire since childhood and who promises to walk with me in my Journey to Galilee as He did with his disciples. This gave me a hope that the Incarnate Word was my desire. My prayer and intention is to truly fall more in love with Him and that He may grant me the gift of Fortitude to be able to fear Him above all while living my vows. My simple "Yes" to God through His Son Jesus at Profession again reminded me of my "Yes" at Baptism and an expression that I needed Jesus more than before to help me live what I pronounced to God and His Church. This simple "Yes" to God and the Church was also a "No" to many things. I gave a "Yes" to depend on Him in order to bear worthy fruits through His grace, to love the Trinity more, and to risk the unknown with hope and faith. I am very happy for the desire granted and my prayer is that I may continue to grow in serving the Word suffering among humanity. I have experienced this service in hospitals, homes and among the individuals, not by doing great or good things to myself and others, but by letting my human acts be motivated by Jesus' compassion and mercy. This is and will be my happiness.

I finally thank the Trinity, the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, my family and friends for their continued support in this journey by their prayers and guidance. May you all be blessed. Praised be the Incarnate Word, forever

<  Sister Stories