Sr Patricia's Vocation Story...

God does work in mysterious ways. As soon as I complited high school, I had wanted the religious life. Being educated in the Infant Jesus Convent School,that was the only congregation of sisters I knew of. The superior had an eye on me and I was sure I was going to join them. Due to the tears and pleadings of my non Catholic siblings, I gave in to their pleadings to give up religious life.
I signed up for a Teachers’ Training Course of 3 years and I gave myself wholeheartedly to the works of the Legion of Mary. In the meantime, I went shopping secretly to study life of other congregation….was not attracted to any of them. Towards the end of my 3rd year in Teachers’ Training in 1954, many MEP priests and some FMM sisters who were expelled from China came to Malaysia. An MEP priest, the Spiritual Director of my Legion of Mary Presidium learnt of my interest of the religious life. He recommended me to visit the FMM newly founded Convent about 40 miles away from my home in Petaling Jaya.
It was love at first sight; down to the earth simplicity of the sisters ( from China, Ireland, Canada, France and Australia ), made a very strong impresion on me. A sister on duty adoring the Blessed Sacrament every half hour, their friendliness and their strict rule. I was told of not taking ever a holy picture not saying a goodbye, showed me the seriousness of their commitment.
Taking time to discern while preparing for my final exams, I decided this was the congragation for me. My spiritual director gently helped my family to accept my call to religious life. He also told the IJ Superior of my change of congregation to her great dissapointment. Three months later in December 1955 I entered the postulancy, the 1st FMM Vocation in Malaysia.

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First step into training in the novitiate…a time of Study. Life in a community of sisters of different personalities, cultures and background of life and mission experiences, understanding of apostalate and work according to the needs of the time and place. So much to learn and to absorb, to interact with each other in community and to see where I can fit into the apostalate after this quiet novitiate time like Jesus and Mary in Nazareth.
After pronouncement of first temporary vows, I was assigned to help out in our vocational school for girls who missed out early education for different reasons. Not only was there a thirst for knowledge and know how for simple job oppotunities but to my joy I found their searching for meaning in life. How rewarding to be with them at this time  of their lives.
With further training and with an openness to learning, I have shared faith with different age groups, a most fulfilled part of my missionary life in the midst of other works. Life goes on, the Lord does not cease to spring surprises. Even now in my golden, winter years, I can find time and oppotunities to share my faith, to accompany those difficulties in life, those who are looking for deeper relationship with God. As in my novitiate days when taught to spend quiet time before the Lord, so now I continue that practice in less busy world. Life comes to a full circle with and in Him.
 

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