My name is Kami Beliard and I grew up in South Florida in a large extended Haitian family. Faith was always present in and around my upbringing but it never penetrated my heart until my time in college.
I studied Development Psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Early on, as a freshman, I slowly stopped attending Sunday Mass due to a lack of personal conviction. I was soon pursued by the campus ministry to join RCIA for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Through formation and accompaniment, my mind and heart were opened to the beauty of the Church! I was sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit on April 23rd, 2015 at the GMU Catholic Campus Ministry. From that time on Jesus began to call me to give more of myself and eventually invited me to become a FOCUS missionary.
My heart first opened to the idea of religious life with my RCIA class during a spring break trip my sophomore year of college. After a week-long encounter with religious sisters, I was struck by their total self-giving. In February of 2018, the spring of my first year as a FOCUS missionary, two of my best friends invited me to attend a Young Women’s Retreat with the Sisters of Life in Connecticut. I was excited to attend and the Lord was so kind as to provide me with an unexpected vocational grace. I was glad to walk away from the retreat with greater trust that my joy-filled future was held safely in His Heart. I knew that He had a vocation for me and religious or not it would be how He was calling me to follow Him and love Him in this life.
In the Father’s mercy, after several years of missionary service with FOCUS, healing, growth, and being poured into by amazing friends and spiritual fathers, I was led back to the Sisters of Life. I attended discernment visits in the fall of 2023 and it felt like I had come back home. It was as though I got to reenter the steady current of religious life that is always flowing and it was natural and invigorating. From community prayer to washing dishes, I constantly found myself so alive! Throughout the visit, I recognized that it didn’t so much matter what we were doing, I just knew I wanted to be with and like the Sisters around me. I wanted to learn to love and serve as they did. Where there were hesitations or fears, the Father was so present and invited me not to run from the discomfort of vulnerability but to remain with Him and allow the time for Heart to speak to heart.
After receiving my application, I was left with the realization that every single thing that happens in my life is ordained by my loving Father not just for my good in the moment but my good as a whole on the continuum of my entire life and His plan for me. And this is true for everyone! We receive an invitation to constant daily surrender, trust, abandonment, and participation with all that He gives. I believe that Jesus planted the seed of my religious vocation in my heart many years ago but He does not stir up or awaken love until He pleases. Upon receiving my acceptance letter I was overwhelmed with peace, joy, and gratitude. The 4th vow of the Sister of Life (to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life, also referred to as our “charism of life”) consecrates us to reveal the love of the Father to every individual and ignite a fire in every heart to respond in love to Christ’s call to follow Him, living with joy in the Holy Spirit! I am beyond grateful to have received the abundant mercy of the Father in this way. Postulancy with the Sisters of Life has been a transformation gift! I am so excited that on July 24th, 2025, I will be entering the novitiate, receiving a habit and new name. Please keep me and our community in your prayers!
2024 Grant Recipient
