This article first appeared under the title “Dominican shares her vocation call” in the January 12, 2007, edition of Mississippi Catholic. Article and photos used with the permission of the author and photographer, Father Kent Bowlds.

   Jackson, Miss. – January 8-12 is National Vocations Awareness Week, a time to reflect on the fact that all of us, as baptized Christians, try to follow God’s will in our lives -– believing that to do so will help us realize our full God-given

See more photos of Sister Thecla.

potential, give us a deep sense of peace, and enable us to make the world a better place through serving others–either through the single life, marriage, or through the priesthood or religious life.

    St. Dominic Health Services, an outreach of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., is a powerful tool for the love and healing of Jesus Christ, and its effectiveness is a testimony to the Sisters’ talents–ranging from making critical business decisions to ministering to the physical and mental health care needs of people from birth to advanced age.

    Sister Thecla Kuhnline, OP, a Dominican sister of Springfield, Illinois, works in the Pastoral Care Department of St. Dominic Hospital, Jackson. In 2006 she celebrated the 50^th anniversary of her first profession of vows. She shares some thoughts about her own vocation and about the call of God in each of our lives.

How did you experience “the call?”

    I did all the normal things kids do as they grow up -– family activities, piano lessons, chores on our farm, 4-H, parties and dances with friends, etc. I started thinking about it in 6^th grade, but didn’t tell anybody for a couple of years. I used to say an extra Hail Mary each night, for my brother who was in the war and for finding the right way to go in my life -– nothing too profound, really, but the Blessed Mother can help whole bunches.

    When I was in 8^th grade my teacher told the associate pastor she thought I had a religious vocation. I don’t know how she knew; perhaps there are certain earmarks. It’s like when I used to see one of our current seminarians, Scott Thomas, when he was in high school, serving mass at St. Catherine Village and I’d say “Good morning Father Scott!” and he never fussed against my saying so. He’d say, “Well, it’s possible.”

    I can’t really put my finger on what drew me to this; it wasn’t the particular experience of any one of the sisters who taught me. I think it was more out of going to visit the convent where my older sister lived. We could visit her for a couple of hours at a time, and eventually, through those visits, I just had the idea of “this is where I am going to come someday.” It just felt like I was supposed to be a part of that way of life. When I’m asked this question by someone who is married, I say, “When did you decide to marry the person you did?” Like them, it just felt right.

How was your formation process?

    I entered in June right after high school, and had no idea of what it was really going to be like; I was just going to go. I knew it was going to be six months as a postulant , after which I would receive the habit, and then first profession of vows a year later. The amount of silence (in those days) was a surprise to me, but I had an “angel mom” (like a sorority “big sister”) who helped me out. We entered into ministry (teaching) right away as we continued our education. Final vows came three years later. Today the process is longer, and many women come to us already having their college degree.

What has been your ministry?

    I taught for 35 years, mostly in 5-6th grade, and usually in schools, though I also taught in diocesan and parish religious education programs. I taught all subjects, including religion–helping children learn their prayers and practice their faith.

    Then in 1991 I entered my current hospital ministry. I think each of our lives evolve as we are on track with God, and this was the same; it was it was an evolutionary process, involving some additional training.

There are two sides to what I do now. It is both bringing the Lord’s presence to people and helping them to realize that He’s already been there with them through it all. It’s a sharing of the Lord’s love and support for the patients, their families, and the hospital staff–just being there for them in whatever way is needed. And sometimes that’s hard to tell until you are right there with them.

Any regrets?

    Will you quote me if I answer!? Living in religious life with other human beings has its ups and down. My older sister (a nun) was a big help in that area; she’d say, “Well, we are only in an assignment for a number of years, and then it’s on to the next one.” I was committed to sticking it out, through thick and thin. I had plenty of time to think about what I was getting into before I made final vows, the promise to do this until death. Some helps toward doing that have been the Sacrament of Reconciliation and having a good friend, a fellow sister, with whom I could pour out my heart when things were difficult. Ministry is a gift from God, a call. You don’t know exactly how it comes about, and when you accept it you accept its challenges, too, and you nurture it by prayer, reading, the Sacraments, and relaxation, to keep yourself going. Now I really like a quiet, contemplative, centering kind of prayer.

How did and do you think of celibacy?

    I was not sheltered from boys while growing up; I went to my junior and senior proms, for example, but I never fell in love with any one man. There was never the strong desire to be married, though I did observe many good marriages. What I have liked is that I can give my attention to many, many people without offending some one special person to whom I have made a commitment.

What do you and the other sisters do for fun?

    We play cards and table games, watch movies on TV or at the theater, and we have a lodge by a lake we can go to. I like to crochet, piece quilts, and even to get in the dirt and grow things!

What do your sisters wear?

    We have four choices–a full, ankle length habit (which some of the older sisters prefer), or a shortened, modified habit like I wear, or a black skirt with a light blouse and no veil, or more recently the choice of “appropriate clothing.” I’m comfortable wearing the more visible sign of my habit. Maybe it’s selfish, but I like not having to worry about all the current styles of clothing or to get a perm in my hair! But even our sisters who wear the less traditional garb are called “sister” by strangers sometimes. Perhaps there’s something about our demeanor. And, of course, we have the option of wearing slacks or shorts when we are relaxing.

Any suggestions for others who are discerning?

    You don’t get a letter in the mail from God! But you just think you might want to do something, and there also might be some reluctance, but then again you still want to, back and forth. That urge won’t go away. I think God always gets us where we need to be, if we just listen a little. Find your own way to pray about it, to say, “God help me become the person you want and need me to be.”