As a sister, I have seen 'little miracles'
Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan, CSSF, Special to The Michigan Catholic
Published January 5, 2007
Vocations Supplement
My name is Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan and I am a Felician sister. I first began discerning a call to religious life when I was in the ninth grade at Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids. I was particularly fond of the religion classes that I had taken there, and I thoroughly enjoyed the presence of the religious sisters and priests that were in our high school. I didn't realize at the time that indirectly a seed was being planted within me — a religious vocation.
I didn't actively pursue this calling until after I graduated from Davenport University in June of 2000 with my bachelor's degree in human resource management. I wanted to work in this field first, live on my own, and date, then see if God was still calling me to religious life. I started working as an administrative/medical assistant for Spartan Occupational Health center in Grand Rapids. I worked there for about two years while at the same time living in an apartment, hanging out with my friends, and I occasionally went on dates. But all of this wasn't making me happy.
I felt unfulfilled and empty — like something was missing in my life, yet feeling as though I was being drawn to religious life. Later I would come to realize that these feelings were leading me to a deeper commitment with Christ.
At this time, I was interested in finding out more about religious life. So I went to a local religious book store and talked with two clerks about information on vocation discernment. Instead of showing me books, they proceeded to take me across the street to meet with the pastor of St. Isidore Parish, who was also a spiritual director. I introduced myself and told him that I was discerning a call to religious life.
He advised me to look into the Carmelite Sisters that were located in the area. I also looked into other orders within Michigan, such as the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters in Monroe and the Felician Sisters in Livonia. I found out about the Felician Sisters from an ad I read in the Vision Magazine. I liked their vision statement, "Turn to the Lord: to be Sister, Servant, and Eucharist to all."
I called Sr. Mary DeSales Herman, CSSF, vocation director, and she invited me to attend the Mass of Thanksgiving for one of the newly invested novices. I attended the Mass and enjoyed meeting her and the other sisters. I was encouraged by Sr. DeSales to attend one of the discernment weekends. One discernment weekend lead to another and after attending many community events, I found myself being drawn to join the order. I enjoyed praying, recreating and getting to know them. I felt as though I was a part of the family.
After much prayer, I felt drawn to continue my discernment in religious life with the Felician Sisters. I contacted Sr. DeSales and told her about my decision. On Oct. 28, 2001 I became a candidate in the Felician community. On Aug. 25, 2002, I became a postulant and began learning about the life of a Felician. I became a novice on Aug. 14, 2003. I was invested with my habit and veil and received my religious name. In novitiate I learned to balance my prayer life and ministry. On Aug. 15, 2005, I publicly professed my first vows with the Felician Sisters.
Currently, I am in my second year as a temporary-professed sister. My ministry includes service in the community, getting my education and deepening my prayer life. Since entering into religious life, I have seen "little miracles" happen with my family, friends, and sisters in community. This has helped me to turn to the Lord and become a Sister, Servant and Eucharist to all of God's people. I am happy to be a part of the Felician family.
Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan is a Felician sister in Livonia. To find out more about being a Felician, contact Sr. Mary DeSales Herman, CSSF at (734) 591-1730.
To learn more about other religious vocations, contact Fr. James Bilot, archdiocesan director of vocations at (313) 237-5875 or email him at vocations@aod.org.
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