Sister Lawrence Therese Hudson When did my vocation begin...in September 1950 when I first encountered Sisters in school. Throughout my grade school and high school years, I always felt comfortable being around Sisters and working with them. Our family moved several times and thus, I had the opportunity to be in contact with six Religious Communities.. Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Joseph, Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, the Benedictines, Franciscans and the Missionary Helpers of the Sacred Heart. Their contentment and joy drew me to live this way of life, too. But, I think, it is my mother who first awakened in me the stirrings of a vocation without her realizing it.

My mother who comes from a Canadian family of thirteen children instilled in us the traditions and beliefs of the Catholic faith, as well as sacrifice and honesty that had been inculcated in her from her parents. My father, who converted to Catholicism before he married my mother, was an example for us of hard work, devotedness to our mother and us eight children. I was his little girl.

We grew up in a religious atmosphere.daily prayers and meal prayers, the family rosary, attendance at not only Sunday Mass but also frequently daily Mass, parish devotions, weekly confessions, and the Way of the Cross. All around our home we had reminders of our faith.crucifixes, holy water fonts, statues, rosaries, lives of the saints, the Bible, medals, scapulars, and holy cards. My brothers and I even made an altar and played out the Mass. In times of crisis my mother relied on prayer to sustain her. One such occasion stands out which shows how my yearnings for the Lord started.

Before my eighth grade year, our family was living in Pennsylvania. My father drove my mother and us children, six by this time, to St. John's Church in Philadelphia where a novena to Our Lady of Lourdes was being held. My eyes were drawn to Our Lord exposed in a beautiful monstrance and I felt an interior longing and joy. The hymn to Our Lady of Lourdes opened my heart to her maternal care. To this day that uplifting experience is a source of strength for me in times of need.

Just to set the record straight, even though I may have shown spiritual leanings, I was called a tomboy and the ringleader of any trouble into which my brothers and I got.

In September 1957 on account of my father's job, we moved to Delaware City, Delaware. We were enrolled in St. Paul's School staffed by the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales. The pastor of the parish was Fr. Lawrence Ward, an Oblate Father. Several years later I was to learn that the Oblate Fathers had celebrated Masses in the two previous parishes in which I lived, St. Madeleine in Ridley Park and Our Lady of Peace in Milmont Park. So I had already been exposed to Salesian Spirituality unbeknownst to me. What a coincidence!

During my high school years, I was in the parish choir and became assistant sacristan.

What a privilege and joy for me to be able to take care of God's house and to be near the tabernacle. I would frequent Mary's altar and ask her to protect me from the temptations around me and help me to know her Son's will for me. On one occasion an Oblate Sister visited our home. While showing Sister our outdoor shrine to our Lady, I was overcome by that feeling of contentment and joy that I mentioned above. I felt the presence of the Lord and wanted to give myself to Him forever. Thereafter at each Holy Communion the tugging of Our Lord's love on my heart were getting stronger.

Finally the time came to discern in which Congregation Our Lord wanted me to serve Him. I had inklings towards a medical field. After seeing the movie, "The Nun's Story", I felt called to be a Medical Missionary. That idea was short-lived because I realized that I might never see my parents or brothers or sister again. We were a close knit family. Even though I often helped the Oblate Sisters, I was not inclined to join them because I thought they were only teachers.

Another incident occurred which confirmed that the religious life was my calling.

Returning home from my senior prom, an empty feeling overcame me. I knew that life had a deeper purpose and meaning than this.

In my senior year during a retreat for high school girls at the Oblate Sisters' Convent, I happened to be in the kitchen where the dishes were being washed. I was so struck by the jovial rapport of the Oblate Sister with the girls working with her. I said to myself that is what I am seeking and decided this is where the Lord is calling me. I asked for an application. But that is not the end of the story..

I was to enter on the first Sunday of September in 1962. The night before entering I got cold feet. Overcome by the thought of leaving my family, I called the Sisters in Childs to tell them that I was not coming. Sr. Mary Vincent simply answered, "You will come another time." Sr. Therese Elizabeth was my confidante at St. Paul's School. Upon telling her of my change of mind, I burst into tears. I felt like I was in total darkness. I realized then that I had made the wrong choice.But even this setback was used to my benefit.

For the time being I took a catechetical course through the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. This was providential as I would see in the future. I continued to visit my friend Elissa who entered the Oblate Sisters the week before I was to enter. It was during my second visit to see Sr. Elissa that I was to regain that feeling of contentment and joy. At the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament during the hymn Tantum Ergo that I heard an inner voice-STAY, DO NOT GO HOME. I was overwhelmed by God's grace and love again. It was October 28, the Feast of Christ the King. I said-YES!

There is a humorous incident that is worth mentioning... After calling my parents and informing them of my decision to remain at the convent, I was given a guest room. All my belongings for entering the convent would have to be sent for. Dressed in ordinary clothes, I helped with the children in kindergarten for the two days. In the evening of the second day, I received my postulant's dress. The following day the children arrived in costumes to celebrate Halloween. During the next day's class one little boy said to me, "Miss Hudson, you can take off your costume now because Halloween is over!"..

One of my brothers, David with whom I am close, wrote me a letter encouraging me: "If it is your vocation, stick to it and become a good Sister."

My soul rejoices in God my Savior.....because at the time of my First Profession, I had sensible feelings of truly belonging to Jesus. I heard and felt the heavy weight of chains lifting off me and clanging to the floor. The rest is history.! God be praised!