“My First and Only Love”
Sister Gianna shares her vocation story:
“The desire to become a religious sister came to me when I was five years old. I wanted to ‘Marry God’ and was pretty vocal about it. My family emigrated from the
Philippines to St. Louis, Missouri, and brought with them the vibrant faith and cultural Catholic devotion. I remember going to daily Mass with my family at the Passionist Nun’s Convent down the street. When I asked my mom about what they were wearing, she told me that nuns wear habits because they are “married to God.” And I could not help but think, that when I grow up, I also wanted to marry God.
Thinking back to my childhood, growing up with my family was like growing up in a religious community. We would start our day with Mass and end our evenings praying the Rosary, kissing the feet of the Blessed Mother before going to bed…I truly believe that the seed of my vocation came from the well-lived vocation of my parents, who lived as good Catholic witnesses.
The desire to be a religious sister stayed with me throughout my elementary, high school, and university years.
The thought of being married to Jesus always fascinated me. Then came the call itself, a gradual process which took place from my childhood to the present moment. I heard this call primarily in hours of Adoration. I was always active in youth group at the parish and loved being with the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters. I went to World Youth Day with them in Toronto and in Cologne in 2005.
To be honest, I wanted to enter the convent at fifteen, like St. Therese of Lisieux, but I realized that it was God’s will for me to finish high school first. After graduating from high school, I wanted to discern and enter a religious community as soon as possible. However, when I mentioned my desire to become a religious to my parents, they were open to whatever God had planned for me, but had hopes of me finishing college first.
Since I have a great interest in health and science, and spent much time volunteering at my mom’s medical clinics, I majored in biochemistry with the intention of applying to medical school…As the months progressed, my heart was restless and I just wanted to respond to God’s call.
In college, I was not completely happy – something was missing terribly. I started going to Adoration daily and would spend hours before Jesus, praying “Thy Will be done,” because at that point, I did not know what else to pray for. And before sleeping, I would entrust myself to Mama Mary, praying 3 Golden Hail Mary’s for my vocation…I just could not wait.
In April of 2014, I was able to get my parents’ blessing to enter religious life. I then realized that a vocation does not just end with one ‘yes.’ I realized that my fiat must be given faithfully to God everyday of my life. I entered on June 14, 2014, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
The Fund for Vocations Steps In
When Sr. Gianna came to the Fund for Vocations in 2018, four years after she first entered, she was at the pivotal point between her novitiate and her first profession of vows, the vows that would make her the Bride of Christ she longed to be.
But there was one big issue – her debt! When she entered formation, her parents had taken on responsibility for paying off her student loans for the year and a half she spent studying Biochemistry before entering the order. As her first vows approached, her family’s financial position had changed. They were no longer able to make the crucial loan payments, and the community could not allow her to make her vows until they knew her debt could be paid.
When Sister came to the Fund for Vocations, she was desperate. She knew the nuns would allow her to continue on as a novice until a solution was found, but she was ready to make her vows and they were ready for her to join them as a professed sister!
The generosity of Fund for Vocations supporters opened the door for Sister Gianna. She was given a grant in 2018 that would cover her loan payments and allow her to make her vows without delay. It was an answer to prayer.
Sr. Gianna’s “Yes” and the “Yes” of Our Donors Bears Fruit
Since her vows in 2018, Sr. Gianna has gone on to earn degrees in Theology and Philosophy from Holy Apostles College & Seminary, and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Divine Mercy University.
She has touched the lives of many children and young people, as a teacher, missionary, and mental health counselor, working with students from preschool through college across the United States and the Philippines.
As a counselor, she integrates faith perspectives with evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Her research-informed practice focuses on interpersonal neurobiology, trauma recovery, resilience-building, and virtue development.
She is also a poet and writer of children’s books, bringing a unique blend of spiritual wisdom and psychological insight to young hearts.
She has been profiled by the New York Times, EWTN, and ABC 12 News. Her work also appeared in Augustine Institute’s FORMED, Columbia Magazine, One Voice Magazine, and National Catholic Register.
At the heart of Sister Gianna’s mission is a passionate dedication to nurturing young souls through literature that speaks to both heart and mind. She creates stories that resonate with children while fostering spiritual growth and emotional well-being.
When not writing or teaching, Sister Gianna can be found playing Uno with her fellow sisters or occasionally leading impromptu dance sessions in the convent halls – proving that joy and reverence can indeed go hand in hand.
Sister Gianna continues to inspire the next generation with messages of faith, hope, and healing. Her life as a Bride of Christ, her life of prayer and service is made possible by the Holy Spirit and by the generosity of the hearts of Fund for Vocations supporters who unlocked her vocation at a critical time.
We have unlocked over 350 beautiful vocations, like Sister Gianna’s, but we need your help! Can you support new, vibrant priests and religious eager to serve the Church?
