My name is
Sr. Alberione and I am from Korea but I came to Ireland in 2002. In my
family, there are six of us, three brothers, two sisters and myself, the
eldest. My parents are now both in Heaven. When I was born, my family
was not Catholic.
I felt that we have only one life so I spent my earlier life searching
for something special and meaningful. I read many books about the search
for real and true love as this was very important for me. Then one day,
my father gave me a book entitled: “Christ lives in you”. I read it all
that very night and then decided to go to Church. On Holy Thursday I
received the sacrament of Baptism and a new name as a Christian:
‘Veronica’.
Whilst I
was receiving Instruction in Catechism, I felt that I wanted to become a
contemplative nun. I had a great grace because when I was discerning my
vocation, God sent me some good friends and through their advice I
understood that ‘no one lights a lamp and covers it’ and also
‘ to set my mind on the things that are above and not on earthly things’.
Our convent
had a programme where people could have an experience of community life,
so I went along and had an experience of it. We had Night Adoration
before the Blessed Sacrament and during that time I understood that God
was calling me. “Come to me” were the words which I heard within
me. In that moment I entrusted myself to the Divine Master in the
Blessed Sacrament.
However,
my family didn’t accept my decision to enter the convent so I prayed
very hard. Finally, on the 7th of October 1979, the Feast of
Our Lady of the Rosary, I entered the convent, unworthy though I was,
but I trusted in our Lady and placed myself completely in her hands.
I have
done some activities and work in the Church for example in the Legion of
Mary, Choirs, Sunday School. In my class there were many children and I
prayed for vocations. In 2006 I met a priest who had been in my class,
many years ago. He told me that now he is a priest and studying in Rome,
praise God.
When we
were young, we had social meetings and times of prayer for and with
each other and also spiritual help regarding vocations. After I began
my religious life I took a motto: “Set your heart first on the
kingdom and justice of God and all these things will also be given to
you” (Mt 6, 33). These words are still a light for my journey
till this day.
The year
2008 will mark 25 years of Religious profession for me. I always place
my trust in the most Holy Trinity and Our Mother Queen of Apostles and
St Paul the Apostle and also my precious Father James Alberione.
My hope is
that I may say at the end of time; “I live now not I, but Christ
lives in me”. Thanks for reading.
C
