It is a great privilege for me to share my vocation story with you for it offers me an opportunity to once again to walk in the path that had been designed for me by God before I was born. As I recall my life story in mercy, I find meaningful the words in the book of prophet Jeremiah 1:5- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you…’’

On the occasion of my Perpetual Profession 11th December, 2019

I was born at Makueni County in Kenya. This is where I grew up and also spent all my childhood. My Mom and Dad were blessed with eleven children, seven girls and four boys. I am the fifth born among them.

While my siblings and I were in primary school, my parents encouraged us to faithfully attend Sunday school classes and catechism classes as well. I got to learn about the different types of vocations in the Catholic Church through my Sunday school teachers and my catechist. From the list, I felt drawn to the religious way of life.

After completing my secondary school studies, I wanted to join a certain congregation of the Sisters working in my home parish. However, I chose to enrol for university studies first, a decision I arrived at after a lot of soul searching.

During the first three years of my studies in the university, I met several religious Sisters of different congregations but I never felt free enough to share my deepest heart’s desire with them. Moreover, I had somehow suppressed the desire and opted to give it earnest attention after graduating. Little did I know that my timing wasn’t going to coincide with God’s timing.

And so while I was a final year student, I had my first encounter with a Sister of Mercy. The Sister was a staff member in the university. She had been introduced to me by a good friend. My first conversation with her reawakened in me the dream of becoming a woman religious. She was so warm-hearted and cared a lot about what I wanted to do with my life upon completion of my degree course. This really attracted me to her way of life. In one of my encounters with her, she handed me a Mercy promotion brochure and also gave me the contacts for the then Vocation Promoter. After carefully going through the brochure, I had a deep conviction that the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy is where my dream would be fulfilled. From the brochure, I can say that the word MERCY immediately struck me. I wanted to know more about these Sisters. I took the step of writing to the Vocation Promoter who in turn responded promptly. I was delighted to hear from her. Her quick response encouraged me to continue keeping in touch with her until the time I was accepted for formation.

After graduating, I taught in a government secondary school for one year while still keeping in touch with the Vocation Promoter. In February 2008, I was received for pre-postulancy program at Miguta. I was joined by two other young ladies. The memories of that day are still vivid with me. I recall how I sat on my bed that first night in a state of disbelief that eventually my parents had given me their blessings that I may explore the mercy way of life. Earlier on, from my parents’ point of view, there were better activities that a lady of my level of education could engage in.

I made my First Profession of Vows on the 14th of January, 2012 and was missioned to Nguutani community. My stay in that community lasted for seven months. I then moved to Chepareria community where I am currently based. Both Nguutani and Chepareria communities belong to the Kenyan province.

At school with 2019 examination class

Here at Chepareria, I am involved in the ministry of teaching Mathematics and chemistry to a class of mixed abilities in a Girls’ Secondary School . In most of my lessons with them, I find myself doing as much motivational work as the teaching of mathematics and chemistry concepts. Most of you might agree with me that teaching calls for a lot of understanding and patience with one’s students. As a Sister of Mercy I always feel challenged to respond to this call in a more radical manner.

As I reflect back on how my vocation story has been, I can’t just say that I have been sailing on calm waters all through. I have had some stormy days and seasons. Thankfully, I have been experiencing God’s care, love and mercy at such times. It is for this reason that I now have the confidence to entrust my future mercy story to the all-knowing God who has been very much present in my past and today’s story.

Redempta Mulei rsm