‘I opened the door of my heart.’

April 1, 2022

By Mother Natalia, Christ the Bridegroom Monastery

April 1, 2022

Growing up, I had a lot of misconceptions about nuns. Primarily, I assumed women became nuns only if they couldn’t find a boyfriend. Why else would a woman give up the same joys — marriage and family — as celibate priests, with none of the “superpowers”?

Then, in college, I actually met nuns, and I was stunned. They were beautiful! And smart! And had personalities! With the foundation of my understanding shaken, I opened the door of my heart. Not much — just a crack. But it was a crack big enough for Jesus to get his toe in and open it a lot wider.

Throughout my discernment, I often recalled the words of my spiritual director: “We all have a natural call to marriage, but some of us have a supernatural call to celibacy.” The call to celibacy doesn’t come instead of a call to marriage. It transcends it. My desire for a spouse helps me lean into Christ as my Bridegroom. And my desire for children molds me into a spiritual mother to many more children than I could otherwise have.

Mother Natalia
Christ the Bridegroom Monastery
Burton, Ohio

Father Christopher Murphy, Diocese of Providence.

‘I opened the door of my heart.’

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