By Kate Quiñones
CNA Staff, Jan 9, 2025 / 06:00 am
Before Sister Tonia of the Heart of Jesus Borsellino became a religious sister of the Mercedarians of the Blessed Sacrament, she was an intern for Catholic News Agency (CNA).
Sister Tonia shared her discernment story with CNA last week at SEEK25 in Salt Lake City — one of many SEEK conferences she has attended, both as a student and as a religious sister.
In 2017, when Sister Tonia was in the midst of her discernment process, she attended a SEEK conference — not as a participant but as a reporter for CNA. It was at that conference that she had an experience that confirmed her call to her vocation.
In December 2016, she had visited the Mercedarian Sisters for a “Come and See,” shortly before she left for SEEK 2017 in San Antonio.
Have you ever felt a strong pull towards something but weren’t quite sure if it was the right path for you? Sister Tonia knows that feeling all too well. At a pivotal event, she sought spiritual direction and decided to apply to a religious community, even though she still had doubts about becoming a sister.
As she grappled with this internal dilemma, she found herself interviewing a Catholic speaker for CNA. Little did she know, this encounter would provide her with the confirmation she needed. The speaker looked at her and said, “I just need to tell you something. The Holy Spirit is telling me to remind you of how much God loves you.” In that moment, Sister Tonia felt a wave of emotion and knew that this was a sign from the Lord.
Fast forward to today, and Sister Tonia has returned to SEEK as a fully-fledged religious sister. Her journey towards embracing her calling is a testament to the power of faith and listening to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. Who knows what incredible journeys await those who are willing to follow where God leads them?
