Here I am taking Our Lady outside for our first MN snow in October!! Crazy I know but we have not seen much of it since then. If you win this drawing you too could bring Our Lady with you wherever you go. Well just last night I brought her to my 7th grade CCD class and the girls loved her! It is great having an almost life size Blessed Virgin Mary with me! What would you do with her if she were yours?

How I Heard the Lord Call . . . .

My name is Emily Malay I am from St. Paul, MN and I am currently living at home working as a waitress to pay off my student loan debt. I am 25 years old and I would like to pursue a vocation to the religious life with the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I will briefly share with you how this came about.

I have always known that there is more to life than this life on earth, but it was not until after my confirmation in high school that I really started living for the next life. I delighted in serving the Lord and was very curious about faith in general. I never knew why the Lord fascinated me and not everyone else. I have always felt the need to respond to him and I have never wanted to refuse the Lord anything.

My desire to serve the Lord led me to NET Ministries (National Evangelization Team), where I helped lead retreats with a team of young adults for a year. My curiosity of faith then brought me to Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio, where I studied Theology and Catechetics. These experiences helped my heart grow in many ways and encouraged my daily relationship and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. After learning so much, I wanted to share with others this truth that had transformed my life. Thus, I began to work for FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students), becoming involved with college campus ministry in IL for two years.

It was there that I petitioned the Lord with how I was to serve him with my whole life. I met a wonderful young man and immediately thought it would be through a holy marriage and family life. But time and again the Lord made it clear to both of us that marriage was not his plan for us. Trying to be open and still not refuse the Lord, I looked elsewhere as to how I could serve him.

I had always been open to religious life but never felt completely at home with any of the orders I had met or even the idea of that lifestyle. But while still working in Illinois, something happened. I met the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I felt right at home with them.

Finally, a resting place for my heart!

It was very clear to me, and the Lord continually assured me with his peace and joy that this is where I am to serve him for this life to lead me to the next with him.

To be a Bride of Christ it a beautiful call and I am asking for your prayers that I may worthily respond to this call he has placed so heavily on my heart. I desire to start formation with the sisters in Miami, FL, but in order to commit to them; I need to be free from financial obligation. Please consider making donation to help my efforts. Thank you in advance and Please be assured of my prayers for you and your intentions.

In the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Emily Malay