My career was flourishing. With a master's degree in ecology, I was working at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico. Things were coming together for me to pursue a doctorate and continue my career in ecological research.

Only one thing was amiss: My heart was unsettled. Despite my efforts to convince Christ that there was no way I could be a nun, an undercurrent of gentle invitation remained. I took a leap of faith - well, a guarded one

- and gave Our Lord a year to lay to rest the question of a religious vocation. Surely it would be perfectly clear that I was not called to religious life and could move on with my life.

God met my reluctance with much grace and persistence. Monastic life resonated deeply with how I felt called to live: with a unity of purpose, with all one's being and activities consecrated to God, offering to him in prayer the needs of the Church and the world. I am humbled and grateful for the great gift of being a bride of Christ and living for him alone.

https://issuu.com/columbia-magazine/docs/columbiaoct24en/36?ff

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5612102&forum_id=2...id.#48200930)

https://issuu.com/columbia-magazine/docs/columbiamay25en

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5612102&forum_id=2...id.#48952016)