Vocation Testimony

“To walk in the path of Divine will”, this is what I wish to say about my vocation. I am from Pavaratty, Trichur. I am the fifth child of Kochudevassi and Kochannam Pulikkotil. Devotion to Mother Mary and St. Joseph, instilled into my heart from early childhood, has its impact on my Religious vocation.

When I was studying in std. VII, while attending the Holy Mass at a children’s retreat, I heard a voice within “Soja, don’t you come on the way I show you”. Without knowing its implications I said yes. But gradually forgot all about it.
I did my schooling and Teachers Training with CMC Sisters and this led me to Carmel.

“The greatest love, beauty and goodness that the world has ever seen is Jesus Christ, possess Him”. The words of Fr. George Panakkal V.C made me give up my own ambition and plans and respond to the call of God.

But the family was dead against my joining a Convent. After a long struggle without the permission of my family on 1984 June 2nd, I left home alone without the permission and support of anyone. I took the bus to the place of the Institution of the CMC Sisters where I studied, the only possibility I had known to fulfil the desire of my heart. The family got reconciled with my decision much later and did the needful.

With a desire to follow the lifestyle planned by our Holy Mother St. Teresa after many years of waiting I joined the Cloister Carmel of Tiruvalla. Now I am in Avilaaram, the foundation of Tiruvalla.

- Sr. Joe Maria OCD