It was truly God’s plan that I became a member of the CCR family. My desire to join religious life was first kindled when I listened to the Sisters of the CSST during Sunday School. After completing my 10th standard, I attended a vocation camp at one of the CSST convents. Some days later, accompanied by our Sunday School Headmistress, I travelled to Kochi to meet some Sisters for an interview. There, I met Sr. M. Laura and Sr. Celine Kallarakal. To my surprise, I discovered that Sr. Celine was related to my father. After the interview, Sr. Laura informed me and my companions that we were to come to Ernakulam with all our belongings on the 6th of June 1981.
I returned home and informed my mother about my decision to join a convent, even though I knew nothing about its life or history. My mother gave her consent readily, but my father was hesitant. He believed I was too timid and feared I would not survive convent life. However, after much persuasion from my mother, he agreed—on one condition: that once I left home, I would have to face all the challenges of religious life and never turn back.
So, on the 6th of June 1981, I left home along with three of my classmates. Our parents and siblings accompanied us to Ernakulam Railway Station, where my parents handed me over to Sr. M. Laura. During my Aspirancy, I became seriously ill. My formator, the saintly Mother Sr. M. Laurence, called my father and sent me home on the Feast of Christ the King. The moment I saw my father, my health began to improve, and I stayed at home until May.
But God’s plans are always different. At the end of May 1982, Mother Laurence wrote to my father, asking him to send me back. So once again, both my parents accompanied me—this time to Tangassery. And today, by the grace of God, I am here in the Congregation of the Carmelite Religious.
