1. How did you discern God’s call to be a Cabrini Lay Missionary?
I discerned with God’s help and with the support of many persons, beginning with my parents, who offered me a Christian home, full of love. The others oriented my life by sharing with me the words of the Gospel as well as the example of their lives.

What also helped was my participation in different youth movements, both in school and in the parish, because we were all searching for our future; trying to discern God’s call in our lives. I was also motivated by the example of many good missionaries dedicated to the service of others. Finally, of major influence in my life was the life of Mary – a woman who gave her unconditional YES to God and who was an excellent missionary.

2. What led you to become a CLM?
For several years my mission was with children and young people, which I enjoyed very much. However, Jesus’ words to his disciples kept resounding in my ears: "Go out to all the world and tell the Good News… "(Mk. 16,15). Then I discovered that many years ago there was a great missionary who had passed through Nicaragua where I was and now she was a saint. I was interested in knowing her life and the more I learned, the more fascinated I became. I found in Mother Cabrini the answer I was looking for. I identified with her not only as a woman but also especially in my desire to be missionary. Like her, I wanted to meet the needs in our world.

I knew MSC communities and was able to share my desires with some of the Cabrini Sisters. I really felt that this was the place for me. I could fulfill my dream: to go to all the world and to help those who were most in need. I would do this by sharing in the Cabrinian Charism: “to be a bearer of the love of Christ in the world.”

3. How have your mission experiences deepened your commitment to God and God's people?
My experiences in the different missions (Nicaragua, Argentina, Siberia, Italy and now the U.S.) have been a blessing, because I have received more than I have given. I have learned a lot, especially the richness and beauty of the different cultures. This has helped me to love others more and of course it has strengthened my commitment with God thus encouraging me to continue my “yes” like that of Mary.

4. What supports help you to live your commitment faithfully?
For me, the greatest help has been my belief that I was chosen by God and loved by God and Mary throughout my entire life.

I desire to continue living the mission God has given to me through the Cabrinian Charism. The sisters in the community have been a big support to me. I have received so much and my dreams have become a reality and so I feel that I must share with others everything that I have received.

5. What advice would you give anyone who is searching and wants to commit her/his life to God?
Well, the first thing I would say is to stay near to God, to look for some spiritual direction and to share your inner desires, your worries, your doubts, and your ideals. Remember, we can only find real happiness in union with others when we give and receive. It is also important to have more knowledge about the missionary life. Being a Cabrini Lay Missionary is a big opportunity to serve others within the Cabrinian Charism. So, Courage! The world needs you, and you can make a difference!

Many thanks, Adela

Read Adela’s story in Spanish also:

Adela Jarquin-Soza de Nicaragua entregó su vida como una Misionera Laica Cabriniana desde 1990. Desde este tiempo ella compartió sus talentos en America Central, Argentina, Siberia (Rusia), Italia, y ahora, en los Estados Unidos.

1. Cómo discernió la llamada de Dios para ser una Misionera Laica Cabriniana?
Con la ayuda de Dios y con el apoyo de muchas personas, empezando por mis padres, que me brindaron un hogar cristiano lleno de amor, y de muchas otras personas que supieron orientarme con sus palabras y con su ejemplo.

El participar en los diferentes movimietnos juveniles, tanto en el colegio como en la Parroquia, porque todos estabamos en esa búsqueda de nuestro futuro tratando de discerner la llamada de cada uno.

Algo que me motivó fue el ejemplo de muchos buenos misioneros entregados al servicio de los demas, y sobre todo de Maria, la mujer del SI inconcondicional y misionera por excelencia.

2. Qué le condujo a hacerse una MLC?
Mi misión por varios años fue con niños y jóvenes, y me gustaba muchisimo, pero siempre continuaba a resonar en mis oidos las palabras de Jesús a sus discipulos: "Vayan por todo el mundo y lleven la Buena Nueva..."(Mc. 16,15). Luego, supe que unos años atras una gran misionera habia pasado por donde yo estaba y que ahora era una gran santa – Santa Francisca Javier Cabrini. Me interesé por conocer su vida y realmente quedé fascinada. Encontré en Madre Cabrini la respuesta que buscaba, porque me senti identificada con ella como mujer, y con mi deseo de ser misionera donde haya necesidad, es decir, en el mundo entero y este fue su deseo.

Conoci algunas comunidades donde comparti con algunas de las hermanas cabrini y realmente senti que ese era el lugar que buscaba donde podia continuar en la mission pero ahora con el charisma cabriniano y donde la mission es en el mundo, con todos los mas necesitados.

3. Cómo han profundizado sus experiencias de misión su compromiso con la gente y con Dios?
Realmente mis experiencias en las diferentes misiones han sido una bendición del Señor porque, mas que dar, he recibido tanto, he aprendido mucho, sobre todo la riqueza de las diferentes culturas. Esto me ha ayudado a amar mas a los demas y por supuesto ha fortalecido mi unión con Dios y me han animado a seguir siempre adelante.

4. Qué es lo que mas le ayuda a vivir su compromiso fielmente?
Lo que mas me ayuda es el sentirme elegida y amada por Dios y Maria, que siempre la he sentido como parte de mi vida.

El deseo de seguir viviendo el carisma cabriniano, el apoyo de las hermanas en la Congragación. Me siento realizada y recibo mucho cada dia y siento que debo compartirlo con los demas todo lo que recibo.

5. Qué consejo le daria a alguien que busca y quiere comprometer su vida a Dios?
Bueno, lo primero seria acercarse a Dios, buscar alguna dirección espiritual y compartir lo que llevas dentro, tus inquietudes, tus preocupaciones, tus dudas, y tus ideales. Recordar que la verdadera felicidad solo la encontramos en unión con los demas, cuando damos y recibimos. Algo importante es tener mas conocimiento sobre la vida misionera y sobre las Misioneras Laicas Cabrinianas que es una oportunidad grande de servir a los demas con el carisma cabriniano. Asi que; Animo! El mundo te necesita, y tu puedes hacer la diferencia.

Gracias! Adela

Read past "Companions on the Journey" stories...

Learn more about Mother Cabrini

Read more about the Missionary Sisters

Learn more about the Cabrini Lay Missionaries

Discover more about Cabrini Mission Corps