Unlimited confidence makes everything possible… (P.M. I.13)

My name is Sr. Mary Peterina Sohiyen Ontoyen, SJMJ. I am in my fifth year as a temporary professed sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus Mary Joseph (SJMJ). I am from West Africa, specifically Ghana. I am currently in Manado Province whiles studying theology. It has been my greatest desire of being a nun and am grateful to be a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus Mary Joseph. I took my temporary vows in the year 2016.

Just as in life challenges are inevitable, so, my vocational journey has not been smooth either. I have encountered setbacks and challenges inwardly and outwardly, but these challenges have always reminded me of my human frailty. I have always appreciated every challenge I encounter in my life as a sister of SJMJ, because I have realized that making a good achievement in life, cannot be on a silver platter. Indeed, in becoming a sister of SJMJ, I really did not have it on a silver platter, and for that, I cherish and value my vocation.

The spiritual life of a religious is very important, prayer and sharing has been my source of strength. Not just prayer but following the spirituality of our Congregation. Should I neglect the spirituality of our congregation then I will find myself losing my essence of being a sister of SJMJ. This is not to say that I have been perfect in following the spirituality of our Congregation but that has always been my experience when I deviate from it. The spirituality of the congregation has indeed been important in my life as a young sister.

It has been graceful of being a sister of SJMJ and of course, I would not have been finding it graceful without the challenges I encounter in my daily living. Oh yes, challenges are inevitable, and no body likes to meet challenges. But sometimes some challenges can be avoided. To me I have always find grace in every challenge when I consider and accept them positively in my life. And of course, I overcome these challenges through prayer. Though finding myself with people who are also from different continents, the sense of belonginess and the acceptance of each other culture and backgrounds is amicable in this Congregation. This feeling of sense of belonginess has always made me to refer to my community as a home.

Being asked to study theology in the Indonesian language was one of the fears I had as a student. Yes, I nearly rejected this responsibility and this opportunity as well. This is because after a month of studying the Indonesian language, I barely could express myself. I have never thought of studying theology either. But with obedience I accepted this task though deep within me I had mix feelings of whether I will be able to make it or not. Realizing the gravity of this tasks, I sought to seek help from the holy Spirit to help me understand the language, and indeed the holy spirit never disappoints. Still being a student, I have realized that what makes it more difficult in responding to responsibilities in life is when we do not show interest and love towards whatever we are being task of. And one more thing is that, a hard work never goes waste. I have come to love what am studying and have not regretted for accepting to studying in Indonesian language.

But wait, studying theology in Indonesian language is not the only challenge I encountered in my studies. The demands of my studies have been challenging that sometimes if care is not taken, I find it difficult to make it up to community activities. Though my studies indeed demand a lot time, I have been trying not to sideline community activities, especially community prayers and recreation bearing in mind that community life is important to me as a nun. It is in community life, that defines me as a religious.

To be frank, is tempting to always sideline community activities when studies demand our time most. It has also been at the discretion of my community that am still able to make it up to my studies even till today. The encouragement, the motivation and the support I get from my community have been helpful to me in staying focus to my studies and to my call as a nun as well. Am indeed thankful to God for my vocation and also grateful to my Congregation (SJMJ) for the opportunities I have had as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus Mary Joseph.

I wish to leave few words to the Congregational Leadership Team: I am very much appreciating God and to our beloved Congregational Leadership Team who take the initiative to the inventing of this website. It is my hope that this website will be educative to our sisters and all who log into our website. Bravo to all who make it possible!!