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Sister M. Jeena Arackal
“Whom shall I send, who will go for us?
And I said here I am send me!” (Isaiah 6.8)
My childhood
I, Sr. M. Jeena OSF was born on September 9th, 1995 at Idukki district in Kerala. I am the youngest child of my parents. I have an elder brother and a sister. I always thank my God for my parents who are vital role models for me. I have witnessed in their joys and sorrows as they knelt down before God. They taught us to grow in the love of Jesus. At home we had prayers in the morning and evening daily. My parents attend Holy Mass every day; my siblings and I joined them to the Church during vacation.
Root of my Religious Calling
From my childhood I have been very closely associated with priests and nuns especially from my home parish. Also I have relatives who are religious. One of them is Sr. M. Lima, my paternal aunt. I always enjoyed when they visited us at home. Their visits and the time we spent together have inspired me a lot to choose this way of life. I learned from them of the worth of being the “Bride of Christ”. When I saw them fully dressed in white habit I told myself that when I grow up I would become a nun, like them.
My response to His call
During the summer vacation after my higher secondary school exams, I had attended a vocation camp conducted by a religious group of sisters in Kerala. During that camp I sensed that the Lord was calling me to be his chosen one. Arriving home back I shared my desire with my parents; even though it was hard for them, they agreed to my wish. But some of my relatives, teachers, and friends objected me. My Father, however, left the decision to me assuring that he would welcome my choice in either way. It was very difficult for me. I wept bitterly before the Lord asking Him to help me make a decision.
Not knowing what to do I asked the Lord to speak to me. Then I opened the Bible randomly; with my eyes closed I fingered on the page. Opening my eyes, I looked at the point where my finger was paused. The page was from the book of prophet Isaiah, chapter 8, verse 6! “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? Then I said here I am send me”. I couldn’t control my tears. The Lord spoke to me; that was enough for me. That very moment I was convinced that the Lord was calling me. I did not need further direction from anyone. A new strength and courage came upon me.
I was not more disturbed with the discouraging words of others. All I wanted was to respond to the Lord’s call. I stood firm in my conviction. Within a few weeks time travel arrangements were made. I arrived in our provincial house in Raipur on 16th April 2013. After my initial formation I made my First Profession on May 27, 2017. At present I am studying Bachelor of Science in Trivandrum, Kerala.
Conclusion
I thank my God for the precious and marvelous gift of my vocation. I consider it as the best gift that I have ever received in my life. Happily, I live my religious vows with the conviction that I belong to the Lord. I am proud to be a member of our International Congregation. My only desire is to bloom like a flower in the hands of the Lord through the inspiring person of St. Francis.
