“How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12)

This question, rising from the depths of the psalmist’s heart, has been the central reflection of these grace-filled days as I prepare for my perpetual profession of vows. As I look back on the beautiful, and at times challenging, journey of formation, I am overwhelmed by the immeasurable love God has shown me.

Many times I have searched for ways to repay the Lord for His goodness, but I have come to realize that even my life itself is a gift from Him. I cannot truly repay God; I can only surrender myself to Him and gratefully accept His grace and favour.

My years of formation have been a period of discernment, learning and unlearning, and above all, listening—listening to myself and to God speaking through the people He placed along my path. Through this attentive listening, I experienced God’s transforming love. In moments of uncertainty and doubt, hope sustained me and strengthened my willingness to respond to God’s daily invitation.

Hope has not been merely a wish for the future; it has been a quiet and enduring light within me, a confidence that God will never abandon me as I continue to embrace the Holy Cross Charism. It has kept my eyes fixed on the path of the Holy Cross way of life and has enabled me to experience the fullness of joy in my own small way.

During my formation, I often spoke to myself, saying, “Dorothy, you need to remove your expectations and allow God to work in His own way.” As I journeyed through my fourth year as a temporarily professed Sister of the Holy Cross, another realization became clear to me: “Dorothy, neither religious life nor marriage is your ultimate vocation; your true vocation is to become holy.”

I have come to see the Congregation as God’s gift to us—a means through which we grow in holiness. Viewing my religious community in this way has brought freedom and peace to my journey. We are all pilgrims on the same path, and none of us has fully arrived; only God holds our destiny. The Congregation, like many other paths to holiness, is the way I have chosen to identify with and through which I seek fulfillment in God.

As I share these reflections, I cannot fail to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have accompanied me on this journey. I thank my formators and spiritual directors, my sisters in the various communities, and all my friends. Your patience, wisdom, guidance, and prayers have helped me discern God’s voice and taught me how to surrender myself more completely to His will.

To my family, thank you for being the fertile soil in which the seed of my vocation was planted and nurtured. You were my first teachers in the faith. Your unconditional love, countless sacrifices, and constant prayers have allowed this vocation to take root and blossom.

As I look forward to making my perpetual commitment tomorrow, I place my trust not in my own strength, but in the grace of God who has called me. My deepest desire is simply to continue responding to His call and to walk faithfully before Him as He guides and shepherds me on this journey of faith.

All I can do is remain focused and faithful to this grace-filled journey, trusting that the One who began this good work in me will bring it to completion.

Sister Dorothy Achieng, CSC.