Praised be Jesus Christ! God’s call to undivided love!
By Sister Anita (Aniela) Gabarczyk, CACh
The Lord our Savior calls each one of us by name to know Him, His call is a personal one, a Person – to – person call. I understood at a very young age that Jesus was asking something very special of me. I cannot explain exactly how I knew; it originated from nothing external, only a deep awareness within my own soul. Jesus’ call came gently, softly, and quietly into the sanctuary of my soul on the day of my First Holy Communion. I believe that Jesus loves me and that He wants me to have all that is best for me. It’s much greater than anything I can ever wish, understand or pray for. Knowing this, I cannot help but love Him and joyfully serve Him. All I had to do was to completely surrender myself to His Divine Will.
The Lord manifested His protective love through my family by granting me the grace of being born into a practicing Catholic family. I was born in a small village in southern Poland near the Tatry Mountains that rise 8,199 feet high. The oldest of 13 children I helped my parents raise my younger siblings. The atmosphere of our home was permeated with serenity, hard work, simplicity, frugality, and lots of joy. The Holy Rosary was recited each evening and my mother prayed the consecration to the Blessed Mother of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland. This simple life had its profound influence on me and increased my desire to answer Jesus’ call throughout my middle school years.
During those school years, the Sacrament of Confirmation enlightened me further and strengthened my desire to answer the call. Early on my mother recognized my desire to follow a vocation dedicated to Christ. Finally, kneeling before my parents I asked them for their blessing to follow my heart. Joyfully, that same day I was accepted into the congregation of the Sisters of the Most Holy Soul of Christ the Lord. On August 5, 1989 I humbly took the Final Profession of Vows to a life of poverty, chastity and obedience. On the day of spiritual union, Jesus brought with His Divine Presence incomparable gladness into my soul. My profession ring is engraved with; “Jesus my Spouse!” Yes! He is my All! “For to me life is Christ…” Phil 1:21. One day, I was asked by Mother General if I would like to go to America. I was astounded by this request! I had never thought about America but answered “let it be done to me according to Jesus’ Will”. I began my apostolic work in America on August 16, 1990 working in Granby and Chicopee, Massachusetts. Next, I became acquainted with Father Justin Rosary Hour the Polish radio station in Athol Spring, New York.
In the year of 1997our Community came to the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida, and I began my service at Saint Raphael Family Life Center in Palm City. Few years later, our Community received an invitation to work in the parish and school of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Stuart, Florida. The opening of our convent followed shortly afterwards in 2003.
I can say that there is no greater joy and freedom in life than knowing that you are doing God’s Will. Presently, my days are filled with events surrounding the Catholic school and parish classroom. Jesus Christ comes to me in the midst of these everyday fragments: the smiling face of a child, a life filled with suffering and a thirst for hope, a human heart looking for someone to talk with. The powerful source of undivided fidelity and strength to follow Jesus’ call always comes into my soul from the Most Holy Eucharist, love for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, prayers, and motherly protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Without Jesus’ Presence I can do nothing. I place all my hope in Him who lives in my soul, and I ask Him daily to inflame my whole being with the fire of His love.
Thank you very much for your love, prayers and support. May the Most Holy Soul of Christ, Ark of all the Graces and Gifts be always your Best Reward.