Thank God for chicken bones!
Sister Jane Marie Bradish

I was studying in the school commons when a chicken bone landed in my
Calculus book.  Startled and a bit annoyed, I looked up to see some young
women having lively discussion two tables away.  Getting to know each other over the next few months, I learned one of the women was seriously considering religious life.  I was fascinated by her sharing and experiences of different communities.  Clearly God was stirring something within me and I had not yet identified that movement.  My relationship with the chicken bone woman gave me the courage to explore religious life.  I have been a School Sister of St. Francis since 1987.

I was in high school when Oscar Romero and the churchwomen of El Salvador were martyred.  Like it did for so many young people at the time, the stories of the martyrs captured my attention.  I wondered who these people were and what they gave their lives for.  It seemed natural to want to join them in their quest to make the world a better place.  Educated by SSSF since first grade, I knew the sisters only as teachers.  I knew nothing about their life style, community, charism, etc.  Religious life was no where in my consciousness and it never occurred to me to look into it, that is until the chicken bone.

I made a “cold call” to the SSSF switchboard.  I had no idea who to talk to so I simply explained that I was interested in joining the community to the sister answering the phone.  She was slightly stunned and momentarily speechless.  Of course, no one was in the office at the time and I would have to call back later.  It took some time, but I did call back.  I quickly learned about religious women, who they were, how they lived, what they were committed to.  I met happy and healthy people who were eager to share their lived experiences with me.

My family supported my choice with the understanding that I had to be happy.  I moved slowly and deliberately through the “getting to know you” process with the community.  As I learned about the community, I also learned about myself and continued to explore my relationship with God.  Little did I know at the time, this would become a life-long process.  My journey to God through religious life has been filled with many blessings and challenges.  I’ve been accompanied by SSSF throughout the world, some of whom I have not and will never know.  Thank God for chicken bones!

<< Back