Sixty years seem like a long time. But, it really isn’t when considering the life in eternity to which we are all called.
On the 9th day of July, 1962, I made the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Lord for the first time. I have given so much thought recently on how faithful the Lord has been to me throughout these many years, even during those times when my heart was not with Him as it should have been. The Lord has filled my life with so much good, with so much richness. He protected and prepared me to be His own, even in my childhood.
My nine siblings and I were raised in a small town in Ohio in a very Catholic environment. Dominican Sisters taught me throughout my grade and high school years. My discernment to become a religious began as a young child. In 6th grade, during Lent, my teacher showed a film strip on the passion and death of Jesus. In one scene, Jesus was shown suffering on the cross. The narrator said, “This is what your Savior has done for you. Now what will you do for your Savior?” It pierced my heart. I felt like I was the only one in the room. That was the key moment when I knew I had a desire to give myself completely to the Lord in some way. My vocation was a response to the cross. My discernment spread over several years, and following the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I answered the Lord’s call at the age of 18 by entering the Dominican Community of sisters who taught me in school.
After making first vows, I became a teacher and an administrator in several different schools in Steubenville, Columbus, and Newark, Ohio and in Pittsburgh and New York. In 1985, I began the master’s program in Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I am so grateful to my Dominican community for allowing me to do this. Eventually, a position opened up for a residence hall director on campus; I applied and was accepted for the position, which I held for four and a half years. In those years on campus, I was being renewed in my own fervor in living the consecrated life. It was a call to embrace my religious life in a fuller way. I also was being imbued with Franciscan spirituality. It was awakening parts of me that had not been awakened before. At some point, I became aware that the Holy Spirit was calling me out of my Dominican community.
During this time, the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. was founded. I was attracted to the community’s spirituality, especially to their charisms of contemplation and poverty, to their strong fraternal life, and to their focus on simplicity. After several months of discernment and with the help of my spiritual director, I began living with the Franciscan Sisters, TOR in January of 1991, and made final vows in the community on March 18, 1995. This has been the greatest blessing of my life.
The Holy Spirit has led me down paths I never believed I would travel. My life as a Franciscan sister has been very blessed and fulfilling in so many ways. The key is to remain open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Following Him always leads to greener pastures and a deeper intimacy with our God. “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping my eye on you.” (Ps 32:8)
- Sr. Jean Daugherty, T.O.R.
