Looking Back at the Candidate Year
Sister Xiomara Mendez-Hernandez, First Year Novice
Since I was a child, I have felt in my heart the need to find God, feel his love and follow him. I came to Adrian on April 8, 2008, filled with enthusiasm and expectation. I was certain that I wanted to become an Adrian Dominican Sister and continue in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in this Congregation. My entrance ceremony was held on April 15. That day I experienced a new feeling in my heart, like a profound peace, serenity, and a real happiness.
I began to change as I entered fully into our life of prayer, study, living in community, and eventually preaching. My relationship with God deepened as I had opportunities to spend more time in prayer and dialogue with Him, friend, guide, love. This time has been a true gift in my life. It confirmed my decision to enter religious life, and I became more aware of the seriousness of my choices.
The study that is a part of my candidacy has been wide-ranging. Learning English is an important part of my study. I am studying in the program of the Dominican Rea Literacy Center. Today after almost one year I feel I have been successful. Now I converse well with others who often praise me for my progress. My Dominican History classes with Sister Jeanne Lefebvre, OP, Constitution study with Sister Nadine Foley, OP, and my study of religious life with my director, Sister Ellen Burkhardt, OP, have all helped provide my foundation as a Dominican woman.
I am learning how to live in community at Siena House. As the early months passed, new challenges emerged, especially those related to language and cultural differences. With the time the other members of Siena House and I became more aware of and appreciative of the gift of our diversity. I have learned the importance of maintaining open communication and taking the risk of saying the truth.
Preaching has been an important part of my ministerial experience. While volunteering at a migrant workers’ camp, I was invited to preach at St. Mary Church which I did twice each month. I also preached at a Migrant Workers’ Mass. Then Sister Renee Ritchie, OP, asked me to do a Mission Appeal with her in Chicago. This was both a big challenge and a great privilege for me. These experiences have marked and confirmed me as Dominican.
In October I began ministering at St. Joseph Academy four days a week for four hours each day. In the beginning it was hard. Recess duty became a challenge, especially as the weather turned colder. Now I see recess as a chance to connect with and have fun with the children. This has led to opportunities to share my culture with the students, teaching them how to dance Merengue and Salsa, even as I learn about theirs. At the end I began to enjoy the office work as I learned to be humble.
I feel gratitude for the blessing of my Adrian Dominican Sisters on this campus and beyond. The support and love and challenge that I experience are a gift beyond measure. The sisters, who walk most closely with me, have all helped me to grow up and into this life. Each one seems to have the right words for me in my struggles and my joys. I am learning what it means to be sister. Having the opportunity to celebrate the 125th anniversary makes me feel gifted to be part of this Congregation.
Prayer and contemplation are a part of my daily journey, and having the opportunity to share my experiences, the fruit of my contemplation, is a stupendous gift. I know God is the reason why I am here. Today I can say to Jesus, “You are here. I can feel it. I can almost touch you. Your presence surrounds me so strongly, yet gently, with an intense love. All of this confirms within me my desire to follow you, to respond to your call more fully each day.”