November 13, 2022 is recorded in my memory and in my heart as a night when everything made sense. It was really worth it to get here and confidently assume the following of Jesus Christ, as a Sister of Divine Providence, forever…
I lived that moment with intensity and joy. A happiness that sprouted from the freedom of a beautiful vocational process, not absent of uncertainties and dark nights, however, permeated by the grace of God. From the experience of feeling loved and led by God and thus confirmed to seal a definitive alliance with Him and His project of justice, peace and love.
Every detail, every rite, every word spoken at the Solemn Celebration made my heart burn. I felt the love of God manifested in the dear people who not only came to celebrate with us, but helped to prepare the whole of the Celebration and fellowship. A beautiful people who also delivered a Sister who saw her grow up.
One of the moments that touched us deeply was when we handed over the wedding ring. Sister Sandra Maira Pires, putting the ring on my finger, gave me a strong hug. She concluded her address by saying, "Now she is a Sister of Divine Providence forever." At the same moment there was a blackout in the Church, and the people beautifully continued singing: “How can I escape from You, how can I be silent, if your voice burns in my heart…” . At that moment, I felt the presence of God very strongly, as if to say: You will never be alone! Which confirmed the words pronounced by Sister Sandra, when welcoming me: “... You can count on us and we count on you...”
I really felt very loved and happy. I am a Sister who came out from among the people, a vocation from a base ecclesial community and I belong to the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence, which also helped in the ecclesial, political and social formative processes of the periphery where I grew up.
I am grateful to each Sister of Divine Providence, Sisters of other Congregations and lay people, for their willingness to contribute to the fruitful Week of Vocational Animation and to the Solemn Celebration of my Perpetual Vows. It was also beautiful to feel the affection and communion of the Sisters and Formators who accompanied us in prayer and through social media. I fondly remember Sister Daiane Aline Ertel, who coordinated the Vocational Animation Week.
My family was also by my side all the time, helping in everything, especially in welcoming the Sisters and friends. The emotion of delivering the youngest daughter to the Kingdom was expressive. As a family, we know the challenges and achievements in our life stories.
Bishop Joséphy Albuquerque, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Manaus, was deeply involved in the entire Liturgy of Vows and was a very pleasant presence among us, experiencing, together with Sister Sandra, each rite, each moment of the Celebration with anointing and love.
Sister Sandra Maira Pires was, in fact, a divine presence, welcoming my definitive Yes with affection and commitment. With responsibility, I have taken up the words spoken by her in prayerful moments, as a way of re-signifying, always anew, the meaning of following Jesus Christ, as a Consecrated Religious.
I am grateful to God Providence for awakening my vocational call within my family and calling me from among the people. I am grateful to my formators, who helped me, in detail, to find the lost coin, and, when I found it, I ardently wanted to celebrate with all the people who are part of my YES. I am especially grateful to Sister Maria Eloní Coczenski, who has accompanied, with patience, love and responsibility, my last four years in initial formation, helping me to carry out processes of recovery and discernment.
I sincerely thank each Sister of Divine Providence, who was a sign of God's love in my life, for her companionship at times when everything seemed to make no sense. You well know that you were lights of hope on my journey.
I am grateful to the Congregation for teaching me to love it and to take up our causes. I am happy to follow Jesus Christ, as a Sister of Divine Providence, and this happiness is realized in signing the Love of God and the Christian Hope in the here, in the now and in the not yet.
I said YES for love!
With love, I embrace you,
Sister Elis Alberta Ribeiro dos Santos