It was August 2, 2007 the happiest day in my life. For it was on this day, and these following words, that I professed my final Perpetual Vows:
“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
I, Sister Luiza Katarzyna Mitka of the virtue of the Soul of Christ, though very unworthy of the calling to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Soul of Christ the Lord, and yet trusting in the grace of God’s Infinite Goodness, take perpetual profession on your hands, Mother General, and with love I vow to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, chastity, poverty, and obedience according to the Constitutions of our Congregation. I humbly beg You, Most Holy Soul of Christ the Lord, to help me persevere and in a spirit of gratitude faithfully observe these holy vows. Amen.”
What made this day so filled with such happiness? Why was it different from any other day? As I pronounced my vows I thought of my weakness and how unworthy I was of His grace. I was however, comforted by recalling the words of Jesus, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (1Cor 12, 9), and so now begins the story of my Consecrated life.
Born in a small town in southern Poland, I am the older of two children. I have a younger brother. Although my family was Catholic, it was not very important to my parents that we attend Sunday Mass. My true, religious mentor was my Grandma. She taught me about God and faith. Unfortunately, when she died, my faith became lukewarm and eventually I didn’t think about religion anymore. My connection with God and faith was gone. A few months after my Grandma’s death, my family moved to her house which was located in e different part of our city. My challenge now, was trying to adjust to new neighbors and a new school. My one friend was the daughter of one of our neighbors. It was this dear friend who, step by step, helped me to rebuild my faith and relationship with God.
It is very difficult to pinpoint a particular moment when I knew God was calling me to become a Nun. It was in high school when I first heard a soft voice down within my soul beckoning me to come follow Jesus. I was perplexed. Could I possibly have a vocation to the religious life? Why was Jesus calling me of all people? Certainly, I was not your typical religious person. I hoped and prayed that this was only a temporary feeling; but, the harder I tried to dismiss that voice, the stronger it became. I could no longer pretend that this would pass. I finally realized that I was ready to accept the invitation to willingly answer, “Yes, my heart, my soul and my whole being belongs to you, Jesus.” I finally was at peace with my decision.
On August 19, 1999 I began a new chapter in my life when I entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Soul of Christ. Postulancy, Novitiate and in 2002 pronounced my First temporary Vows which I renewed each year for a period of five years. I worked for three years as a cook in the Preschool Program run by our Congregation in Cracow. I then worked as a Sacristan at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Warsaw and at The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zielonki near Cracow. A few years after my Perpetual Vows I started to prepare myself for my new assignment – the United States. On September 17, 2011 I came here to Stuart, Florida to serve and work at St. Joseph Church. Once again, another challenge: a new language, a new culture, new people and Jesus living in my soul saying: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” He is always close to His little bride. How very thankful I am to my God for His incomprehensible grace being a Nun.