The Mysterious Whisper Of God
My FMM Vocation took a long time for me to achieve.  At age five, a nursing Sister would pass my block.  She wore a long black habit and veil and carried a black bag.  I would run to the corner to meet her and walk with her the length of the block.  I recall looking up to the very kind face and sweet smile.  That's what I wanted ...I wanted to be a nun.

  A few years later, I was seven or eight, and was playing outdoors when, POW  It hit me!  Why wait?  Why not become a nun NOW!  I headed off two blocks to the convent, rang the bell and asked the Sister for admission.  She asked me if I had my supper yet?  I said, "No".  "Well then", she said, "First go home and have your supper".

  Years later I was still in high school when my sister Theresa took me on a weekend retreat.  This may not appeal to the average teenager today, but I recall the time spent so wonderful I didn't want to leave.  I wanted to stay.  I couldn't wait to become one of them.  It was taking so long to become a nun!    


High school graduation for me meant entrance into the convent.  But my passion was not to be realized then either.  Wait! They wanted the high school graduate to work or go to college for a few years.  No longer were they accepting candidates right from high school.  My heart grew lighter though, as I experienced (during that "wait") the greatest vacation of my life.  I went to Ireland.  Flew over to get there fast, and took the boat to return slowly.  That was another place I didn't want to leave.  I wanted to stay, but then again, I wanted most of all to enter the convent.

I returned to New York City and my job on Wall Street for a short time, and then finally, after all those years, I entered the FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY novitiate in North Providence, Rhode Island on Sept. 15, 1962.  My sister Theresa also entered the same day.  A few years after that my other two sisters were married on the same day.  We all got what we most wanted.  I KNOW I DID!                       

  Sister Maureen Conway, FMM