Sister Frances Carol Eder Vocation Story - or Anything is possible! As a young child, my family had a lot of opportunity to be around our parish priests. Often the priests would come over to visit. We had a strong faith formation in our family where our religion was very important and central to our family. The Blessed Mother was an important part of our faith. As a family we prayed the rosary together. Whenever I was traveling alone anywhere, I would say a rosary privately and pray to the Blessed Mother.

I never even considered entering the convent when I was young, even though it was highly encouraged by my parents. They made it very clear that they would be very happy if one of the children in the family pursued a religious vocation.

In high school and college, I did not consider a religious vocation. I knew my religion was very important and I kept active in my faith. I was quite satisfied with my life. After college, I began working in a bank. Again, I was very happy in my career. During this time I was often in contact with the Oblate Sisters. Because two of my sisters had already become Oblate Sisters, I was often with the Sisters. I helped them whenever they needed help and found many opportunities to be with them.

Although I enjoyed my job in the bank, I began to feel that there had to be more in life that I needed to do. The Holy Spirit was guiding me gently to recognize my call to religious life. Whenever I was with the Sisters, I started feeling that this was where I was supposed to be. I felt that God was telling me this was where I belonged. Sr. Susan Louise, the first to enter the convent from our family, gave me a holy card of Our Lady of Noës whose shrine is near our Motherhouse in Troyes. Every night I said the prayer to her. I was not aware that this was a pilgrimage site for our Novitiate in France to ask for vocations. For eight years before I accepted my vocation, I said this prayer and asked Our Lady to help me see God's will. At the time in which I came to understand my call to religious life, the Sisters at the Motherhouse were making a nine day novena for vocations. Truly the hand of God was acting through his Mother.

After five years in the bank, I realized that I was called to become an Oblate Sister. The moment I accepted my vocation, I felt great peace and contentment that this was truly a call from God. In honor of the Blessed Mother, who was always such a important part of my life and understanding my vocation, I entered the convent on December 8 th , the feast of the Immaculate Conception. I continue to pray for Mary's help and guidance in all I do. I constantly thank God for giving me the grace of my vocation. I feel that I am fulfilling the vocation that was given to me by the grace of God.