Sr. Miriam Esther: I suspended the application process — although my interest continued — daunted by the realization that my college loans might take years to repay entirely. My confessor advised me to pursue the religious life more seriously, recommending particularly that I investigate resources like the Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations.
Sr. Emmanuel: It may be that a young girl feels she has a religious vocation but her parents are opposed. In this case, she must put all of her trust in Christ. He will never abandon her and if she leaves everything and everyone for Him alone, in the end all will be well. Though extremely difficult, her gift of self will be rewarded by Christ who is never outdone in generosity.
REGINA: What attracted you to this particular community?
Mother Abbess Cecilia: I can directly point to two things that served to awaken this latent call in my soul, though there were many other lesser factors as well. The first was my introduction to early sacred music (at a secular university)! The music of Palestrina, Allegri, Victoria, and other Renaissance composers had a profound and captivating effect on me. The transcendental beauty of the harmonies reaffirmed in my soul that there was more to this life than can be seen with the eyes.
I began to search for a church that made use of this kind of music within the context of the sacred liturgy. That was not to happen until I attended my first Tridentine Mass in 2000.
REGINA: What happened there?
Mother Abbess Cecilia: Without hesitation, I can say it was precisely on that day in December that my life changed entirely. I wept for nearly an hour as I witnessed for the first time the beauty of this Mass. I was swept away by the angelic sounds of chant and polyphony, the incense, bells, and ultimately the overriding sense of mystery and sacredness wrought by a profound reverence.
Without knowing Latin, I understood better than I ever had in my previous 22 years, that the Mass was truly the unbloody re-presentation of Calvary. I left the church resolved to learn more not only about this ancient and perennial Mass, but to learn more about my Catholic faith as well.
REGINA: After one Latin Mass, a 22 year old comes to this
conclusion. Amazing.
Mother Abbess Cecilia: The continuing and steady encounters with this new-found beauty fed my soul, and awakened the call that had been hidden in my heart for so long. While in the midst of my professional career in an orchestra, I finally and unreservedly followed after this most patient Lord.
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