Responding to God's Call/Holy Cross Sister Veronica Fajardo

Intermountain Catholic

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Editor’s note: This is one in a series of personal vocation stories from seminarians, religious women, deacons and priests in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.”

(Isaiah 43:1)

I was born in Nicaragua with a warm and loving family who enjoyed being involved in church activities.  We would sing songs for feasts, go to processions, Mass every Sunday, and pray the rosary with our grandparents in the evenings after dinner.  I had a distant cousin who was a religious sister.  I admired her story and liked when she visited our home.  

A war broke out during my childhood, and violence and despair were quite common. Our faith in God and the support from our faith sustained us. At age 8, I moved with my family to Los Angeles, Calif. One day, I told my mother, “Mom, when I grow up I either want to be a teacher or a nun.” Mom seemed agreeable to the idea and that was encouraging to me.

I grew up volunteering at Assumption Parish located in Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles, went to Loyola Marymount University and became a bilingual special education teacher. As I teacher, I kept volunteering in various church activities. I enjoyed having been a catechist, being a member of the choir, and the youth group. This love for service and collaboration continued to grow as my call to the religious life became clear.  I entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross after teaching in a public school for a few years.  It was a wonderful experience.  

As a religious sister, I have learned to appreciate the diversity and wealth that exists in our Church throughout the world.  God continues to call me to various ministries and with the love and support from my congregation and family, I keep responding to various needs in our world.  I began as a teacher first in California, North Carolina and Ghana, then worked as a legal assistant at Holy Cross Ministries in Utah. Afterward, I went back to school in Los Angeles, and now I am a counselor in a non-profit organization called Peace House. I work with survivors of domestic violence. It is a great ministry where I work with people who exhibit great resilience and a deep love of life and family.  

I believe God never ceases to call us to respond to love with love. It is important to take the first step and not be afraid to respond yes to the call. God will take the lead and give hints along the way if one has a call to the religious life, the priesthood, married life or single life. It is important that we know, as some Jesuit spiritual director said to me, “God dwells in the deepest longings of your heart.” God wants what is best for you, and for you to be happy. Allow yourself to pursue that happiness!

Holy Cross Sister Verónica A. Fajardo, is involved in social work ministry in the Park City area.