Testimonies - Sr. Norma McDonald

I never wanted to be a nun

I may have been a lot like you: I loved God. I wanted to follow Jesus in a radical way. But I wanted to do that MY way!

Here is my story: I am the youngest of three children, born in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Two facts about my birth are of certain significance: I was almost born in a coffee shop, and only metres from the Pacific Ocean. To this day I love coffee. But most importantly, my relationship to God was born from the beauty of God's creation surrounding me. The mountains and the sea speak to me of our Creator's protection, strength and fidelity.

For me, God was never "up in the sky" watching and judging every move I made, ready to discipline at the slightest wrong-doing. God was everywhere: before me, behind me, above me, beside me, in me. I belonged to God very simply because I was a part of the creation He made. My awe and gratitude were most often expressed through my music - feeling beyond words.

And then came the days and weeks when God whispered THE CHALLENGE! But I was not interested in entering the convent, so I refused to listen. I heard, but I would not listen. How could I give up my dream of having a husband and a family? Desperately I prayed that God would have a change of heart. Deep down I wanted to commit my life to Christ but I did not want to give up my dream. Yet God is persistent: when I share my vocation story with young people I compare God to a mosquito. Just when one falls asleep there is this persistent and invisible buzzing sound close to one's ear. Gone when the light is turned on. Back again as soon as one dozes off.

After months of inner turmoil I finally gave in and promised God that I would sincerely try to follow Him by living my life in community as a nun. Secretly I thought it would never work. How could I fit into that mold? I was an athlete, popular, full of life, unable to sit still for five minutes… Wasn't a nun supposed to be quiet and prayerful? My friends bet that either I would leave the convent after two weeks, or the nuns would kick me out!

At the age of 21 I entered the Sisters of Holy Cross. I abandoned myself to my burning desire to stake my whole life on God. Was I afraid? Yes. Did I want to sacrifice my dream of getting married and having my own children? No. But I was willing to risk following the whisper of Jesus I heard in my heart. To this day I am still inspired and challenged by how our Father Founder sought to live as Christ did. I am passionate about living our charism of liberating education, for our world is sorely in need of this so that we may find peace and unity amongst us. I have found my work as a chaplain with young adults to be both my salvation and my joy.

To those of you who hear the whisper of God's voice in the night I say "DARE!" Take up the challenge and abandon yourself to the God who loves you deeply! His grace will precede you! I know you will never regret it!

Norma McDonald, csc
nmcdonal@ustboniface.mb.ca

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