God is My Song ~ The Journey of My Vocation
From family roots to religious life, Sr. Annette shares her vocation journey, guided by music, service, and a deep call to love and community.
Having grown up in a large immigrant Acadian family of 10 children who immigrated from Canada to the USA, there was no doubt in my mind that I would marry and have a large family. Parents with a grounded faith, love of family and music was our unifying force. ‘The family that sings together stays together’ is our motto and has been carried down throughout the generations.
My first recollection of having a close relationship with Jesus was at my First Holy Communion. “Jesus, thank you for coming into my heart” was my deeply felt and fervent prayer. Today, I also renew my vows when I receive Communion. My young faith was nurtured in numerous ways. During the months of Mary we prayed the rosary as a family. If friends or relatives arrived during that time, they simply knelt and joined us. In my early teens I was invited to play in our first parish guitar Masses and continued for years. These were formative years.
At the age of 16, my first inkling of being called to religious life was put to rest when I mentioned this to my older sibling while brushing my long hair; we were getting ready to go out on a date. She told me this was a common thought at my age and it would eventually go away. At the time I was greatly relieved!
AN INVITATION:
While I continued to be attracted to the married life with a large family, a close friend had been invited to a “Come and See” weekend with the Little Sisters. I reluctantly agreed to go with her as a means of support. Much to my surprise, that weekend changed my life! While making home visits, I came to see first-hand the intimate relationships that were formed between the sisters and the families they served. The Family Spirit of the mission was palpable, very much in keeping with our Fr. Stephen Pernet’s vision: “It is for the family that you exist!”. I began to volunteer at fraternity gatherings and played music for the weekly Mass with the families who tugged at my heart. Later I was invited to join a monthly book club of young women sponsored by the vocation directress. In time I began to wonder …. ‘Perhaps I could be the mother of many…’.
While attending compline at a nearby Cistercian monastery which I frequented, I heard Psalm 91:15: ‘When he calls I shall answer I am with you.’ Actually I heard this backwards; ‘When God calls I will answer ‘I am with You.’ Nonetheless, it was a decisive moment.
The beginning of our Rule of Life has been my attractor: “All humanity is called by God to live in a covenant of love with Him and to enter into His plan.” Living in a Family spirit where each person is called by name and has a place to belong, especially those on the margins of society, is of critical importance for the Little Sisters.
MY PERSONAL JOURNEY and The Gift of Song
I entered the Little Sisters of the Assumption in 1973. How God continues to call is best explained in reflecting upon my prayer life. My Jesuit spiritual director reaffirmed for me: “Music is the refuge Jesus made for you.” The process of reflecting, listening, creating, playing and singing is a most profound and intimate experience of God which is difficult to adequately articulate. A glimpse of my spiritual journey is best expressed in brief excerpts of a few original songs which are intertwined in the highs and lows of life in the midst of a people close to God’s heart.
Someone Special was inspired in a moment when reflecting upon Jesus’ presence in my life: ‘There’s someone in my life who shares his love with me. I’d like to live my life and share my love with Him.’
God Is My Song came to me during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. ‘My heart burns with joy when I think of You, my God. You are the song of my life. My soul is at peace only in You, my God. Lord, you are the Song of my life.’
My Final Profession was a tangible and happy experience of the Family of God, the Kingdom of God. Present and actively engaged were the families whom we were called to serve and with whom we journeyed in ministry. Our local community project rang true: Our greatest joy is to realize we are in the midst of a people. We celebrate the meaning of Family, the place of covenant love between God and God’s people.
My Cup Is Overflowing was inspired during my directed retreat in preparation for my Silver Jubilee. ‘May all that is You, flow into me. May all that is me flow back to you.’ (St. Ignatius)
The uniqueness of my vocation in the USA is that the laity were and continue to be a life-giving part of my communal experience. For 43 years, the United States Province had a live-in volunteer program. Some lived in close proximity within our communities while serving in our ministries for 1-2 years; they were called to the same charism. This experience strengthened the uniqueness of our personal calls.
We live in an age where religious life is in transition and our demographics are changing. All in all, our call to be in Mission never waivers for this is different than being physically active in ministry. According to Pernet, ‘Life and Mission are one’ and this is an important time in our history to be attentive to its meaning.
In the midst of the many experiences during my religious life, I remain grateful and hopeful that life will evolve in a meaningful way with decisive choices to facilitate life. The call to live in love as Jesus, Servant and Savior is of utmost importance in my life. I have been greatly blessed with many gifts which continue to be placed at the service of the congregation. All whom I have encountered have become part of my song.
“Singing is for one who loves.” (St. Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 336, 1: PL 38: 1472 St.)
Annette Allain LSA