Reflection for Sister Helga Leija’s Rite of Monastic Profession

Sister Helga, a column editor and translator for Global Sisters Report, which is a division of the National Catholic Reporter, shares stories of courageous women religious all over the world who are making a difference in the lives of many people. She is humbled and amazed as she listens to these women. She writes,

“I am reminded that the words are not mine. I am simply the channel through which they pass.”

and again: “Words hold power.”  Listening with the ear of our heart holds power. Being a channel, an instrument of God’s word and love, is an appropriate symbol of Helga’s monastic profession.

St. Paul had to be knocked off his horse and undergo a deep conversion to hear God’s call and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He became a channel for us as he proclaimed these words to the Ephesians: “Christ chose us. He predestined us for adoption. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. God has lavished God’s grace upon us. Christ has made known the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure. He will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth.”  Paul’s words are given as a guide for us on our journey.

Mary at the Annunciation was in total shock as she heard the call that came from the angel Gabriel. She was young and a virgin and was troubled by these words. How was she to be the mother of God? The mystery of God being with her was felt so deep within her that she could respond to the angel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” She listened and became a channel of that word, and the “Word became flesh.” 

Helga, in your journey of life, you too may at times feel like Paul, that you have been knocked off a horse, and like Mary, stunned and perplexed to hear the words: “You are my chosen one.” The mystery of God’s words was with you as you listened and followed that voice when you entered your first community, the Order of the Incarnate Word in Corpus Christi, TX, in 2004 and made your profession in 2011. You heard that voice again in 2021 when words, especially through the psalms, invited you to the Mount to begin your transfer process to this Benedictine community. 

As you make your monastic profession, you become a channel in which God works through you. The proclamation of your vows are words that hold power. As you make your vow of obedience and live it in your daily life, remember that

“Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all, even to one another, since it is by this way of obedience that we go to God.” 

Stability, as you yourself have described it, “trains us to listen for that voice—not in dramatic moments, but in the routine of every day daily life—chanting the same psalms, walking the same hall, seeing the same faces.” Conversion of Life means that every day we start anew to be the best person we can be. 

Living in community, your sisters have become a channel that continues to call you and enable you to create your story of who you are and who God is calling you to be.  Words are powerful.  As you proclaim your vows, may you know that we, your community and friends, are translators for you of God’s unconditional love.  We are channels through which you can experience God’s faithfulness, care and protection.  May our words, proclaimed together through our voices and actions give praise so that in all things God may be glorified.  May your proclamation of your monastic vows be the words that guide you all the days of your life.