Sr. David Marie

I have been Catholic all my life; I attended Catholic schools from 1st grade to one year in college. Obviously, during those years religious vocation was presented to us but I was not interested. Then, during my senior year my faith became more important to me. Deciding that this meant living it more effectively, I started going to daily Mass and praying on a more or less regular basis.

The last year of high school one is faced with the question, "What are you going to do with your life?" A vocation to religious life started becoming a possible answer so I looked into a couple of local teaching orders. They did not seem to spark my interest so until my calling became clearer I went to college. While there I learned of the Dominican Nuns in Elmira through a friend who was planning to enter there. Our Lord guided me very gently as I became less interested in my studies and more drawn to the contemplative life. To be completely dedicated to worship and praise of our God by living a life that centered totally on that drew me inexorably. I entered the community a few months later.

I thank God for the gift of my vocation, for his faithfulness to me in the midst of the daily joys and sorrows of life, and the sometimes painful growth they produce. I have experienced the truth of St. Paul's words in Romans 8:28: " We know that by turning everything to their good God cooperates with all those who love him."