The testimony of the joy of being with Jesus and of being able to serve him

How nice to come back to visit my family, in Albania, meet people and enjoy the place where I was born and grew up! This opportunity, together with the Sisters of Dushaj, allowed me to organize a meeting with the young people of Raja and Fierza, but there were also some adults certainly attracted by my presence, in fact it was the first time I returned to my land as a Religious.

Together with Sr Vangie we thought it would be nice to recount the experience I am living as a consecrated woman and as the Lord has called me. The first meeting was at Fierza where it was interesting because I told how Jesus used the sisters to call me and make me understand that He also had a love project for my life: Since I was a child I was moved when I saw the joy that the sisters witnessed in serving Christ giving themselves to the people.

A biblical verse where I felt called is that of Mt 19,29 " Whoever will have left home, father, mother for my sake will receive a hundred times more and eternal life". Inside of me I clearly felt that Jesus called me to give myself to Him.

To all the young people I met, I expressed the joy of being consecrated to Jesus. Every day even in the little things, done for his love, in the prayer for those in need, in the life in fraternity, I live my self-giving witnessing His love for all.

They asked me many questions, most often the following:

 How do you hear the voice of God? How did the family react when you said you wanted to become a sister?

Instead, the adult women who were present told me that they were happy for me and that the Lord would bless you." I answered simply that Jesus calls each one differently, that His voice is heard in silence and in the heart because Jesus wants our true joy and it is beautiful to discover and respond to His call. We are unique and unrepeatable in the eyes of God who loves us as we are and calls us; each one has a specific call and each one has the responsibility to respond to Him.

In Raja, which is the village where I was born and raised up, we had this meeting after Holy Mass with the young people and with all those who participated in it.

I told briefly and simply how I am living in the religious family of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to whom I belong, my formation and the mission where I am and live. Sr Vangie explained that the sisters are with the little children whom we take care of and our mission is to love them, to help them grow and to know Jesus.

The emotions were many but even greater the joy in being able to say how Jesus came into my life and filled me with His love calling me to serve and be with him.

They too were happy to see me happy and they all filled me with blessings and repeated: "Jesus bless you!"

I felt well and welcomed by the people of the village even if this choice of life is for them a courageous choice and a little out of the ordinary. One girl asked me, "Did you ever think about going back, about not wanting to continue?

Here is my answer: "Yes," I feared that I would not make it because of the difficulties I encountered, but I entrusted myself to Jesus and He gave me the grace and strength to overcome and continue because I felt in me His love that filled me with strength and courage.

Also in Raja we had a moment of celebration and I was very happy to have met my people and young people.

I thank the presence of Sr Vangie, who was able to accompany me and ensure that these meetings could be held.

Sr Rina Pepkolaj of Crucified Jesus