Sister Susan Louise Eder There has never been a time in my life when I did not know that God loved me. Like anyone else, I have been through hard times, times of darkness and personal anguish. But even in the midst of this, I have been sustained by the conviction of God's abiding love, even at moments when I have not felt it. Although I was an ambitious student and very serious about my future, I knew from an early age that God was calling me to the religious life. I enjoyed reading the lives of saintly women and felt inspired by their total self-dedication. I never spoke of this to anyone except my mother and actually only mentioned it to her once when I was about nine years old.

The Catholic Church was an important part of our family life. We attended Mass regularly and even daily during Lent. Each member of our family found a way to serve the Church and to bring about God's glory. My father was a wonderful example of fidelity to the Church and dedication to the parish. My mother lived a life of goodness and prayer, even in the midst of painful sickness. I was blessed by the example and goodness of two wonderful parents. I thank God for this precious gift. From them I learned what it means to serve God and others with love and joy.

My vocation has always been tied into the Mass. The Word of God and the Eucharist have sustained and strengthened me since my childhood. I have always loved being in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and found particular joy in liturgical celebrations, particularly Holy Week and Easter.

My mother died when I was beginning the eighth grade. This was the darkest time of my life. I continued to seek God while living with the continual pain of loss. During the summer before my junior year in high school, I received the strong conviction during Mass that my mother was with God. This gave me profound peace and allowed me to move forward out of the darkness. It was at about this same time that the thought of a religious vocation resurfaced. I knew that God was calling me to be an Oblate of Saint Francis de Sales. I had known other religious but felt strongly that my vocation was to the Oblates. I was certainly ready to follow God's will, but not yet. I very much wanted to complete my college education.

During Holy Week of my senior year, my class made a retreat, as we had done every year. During the night before the retreat was to end, I could not sleep and felt that I a strong pull to visit the Blessed Sacrament. During this nocturnal visit, God made it clear to me that he was calling me to enter the religious life right away. I cried and pleaded with him but eventually gave in. I knew that this was what I had to do. Logically, I knew that it would be a lot easier to go to college first but I was certain that this was God's will. I requested admittance and only afterwards told my family. Needless to say, they were quite surprised since I had spoken of this to no one. I have been fortunate that my family has always valued and supported my decision.

I have never regretted my vocation, have never looked back. Although being a religious is not always easy, it is the greatest joy that a person can know. There are sacrifices, such as giving up the intimacy of a family and an independent life. Every worthwhile life requires some sacrifices, some choices. My vocation as an Oblate Sister gives me great peace and happiness. I know that I am fulfilling God's will and that he will work through me as long as I open myself up to him.

I have had the great joy of seeing two of my sisters join our community. Their stories are unique, totally different from mine. God has called each of us in our own way and works through each of us in a very particular manner. If you have not already done so, take a look at Sr. Anne Elizabeth and Sr. Frances Carol and see how varied are the ways of God!