‘God gradually opened my heart.’

May 1, 2023

By Sister Mary Rafqa Boulos, Religious Sisters of Mercy

May 1, 2023

Our faith formation begins through the faith of others, and my Maronite parents were instrumental in teaching me to do God’s will. Still, religious life was not something I considered until I attended a discussion about vocations as a teenager.

After the talk, the thought came: “I guess it’s possible God is calling me to become a sister.” Immediately, however, came a quick “No, I don’t think so.” Yet God gradually opened my heart as I grew in knowledge of him and his merciful love for me.

When we are open to God’s will, he makes himself known to us in a very personal way. His invitation persisted, and through prayer and the sacraments — the mysteries, as Maronites call them — I came to realize his will and my vocation with much joy.

When I met the Religious Sisters of Mercy toward the end of my fourth year of medical school, I knew I had found the community where God was calling me to love and serve him to become a point of convergence between his mercy and the misery of mankind.

Sister Mary Rafqa Boulos
Religious Sisters of Mercy
Alma, Michigan

Father Christopher Murphy, Diocese of Providence.

‘God gradually opened my heart.’

Related Articles

Vocations

‘A vocation is discovered within community.’

‘A vocation is discovered within community.’

Vocations

‘I invited him into every aspect of my life.’

‘I invited him into every aspect of my life.’

Vocations

‘I marvel at the work of God’s grace.’

‘I marvel at the work of God’s grace.’

Vocations

‘Jesus crucified does not disappoint.’

‘Jesus crucified does not disappoint.’

Vocations

‘I am building God’s kingdom.’

‘I am building God’s kingdom.’

Vocations

‘God spoke to my deepest desires.’

‘God spoke to my deepest desires.’

Vocations

‘I felt something had changed. I was not the same.’

‘I felt something had changed. I was not the same.’

Vocations

‘They showed me the face of Christ.’

‘They showed me the face of Christ.’