From a young age, I desired to be noticed by Jesus in a particular way. By age 13, Good Friday left me with an ache to suffer with the crucified Lord. At age 16, I read the Song of Songs and declared, “I want a love like that.” Jesus became my first love. Though I was open to religious life, I also loved the idea of marriage.
In college, I replaced Jesus as the center of my life with the man I thought I’d marry. Deep down, I felt Jesus’ claim on my life and fought against him for it, in restless pursuit of a tangible spouse.
But Jesus brought me to surrender. In the Eucharistic presence of the divine bridegroom — “the fairest of the sons of men” (Ps 45:2) — the attraction of all earthly bridegrooms faded away. Jesus gave himself entirely for me on the Cross; I now yearned to give my whole self to him.
Today, as a Passionist nun, I stand at the foot of the Cross, wedded to Redeeming Love. Jesus crucified does not disappoint. He is the fairest bridegroom of all.
Sister Maria Faustina Carmichael
Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery
Whitesville, Kentucky
Learn more at passionistnuns.org.








