Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama

Sacred Heart Monastery 
916 Convent Road, Cullman, Alabama 35055 
(256) 734-4622 --- shmon@shmon.org

 See Article for World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Why?How I Became a Benedictine Sister

by
Sister Tonette Sperando, OSB

The Missing Puzzle Piece to Life

Life offers us many adventures and winding roads. The key to happiness is finding the path that leads to an inner wholeness. For me, that wholeness did not occur until I finally stopped running from God. When I finally accepted that God had a different direction for my life I seemed to have found that missing puzzle piece. Religious life has offered me more than I ever could have imagined.

My name is Sister Tonette Sperando and I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama I was raised in a prayerful Italian tradition. My family has always played a significant role in my life. It is from my family that I first learned of God's unconditional love for all people. It was through the example of my parents and siblings that I learned that God should come first in my life and that everything else should be a reflection of my relationship with my God.

My parents instilled in my brother, two sisters and myself that family was a priority. The strong community bond as found in a monastic community matched my understanding of family. Hence, I felt a familial bond with the women of this Benedictine Community.

I first began thinking of religious life when my seventh grade teacher, Sister Mary Vincent Beckman, OSB, shared what her life was all about. I remember being intrigued with the simplicity of her day-to-day living. Sister walked the class across the playground area to tour the convent. I remember having such a tranquil feeling while on that tour. It was then that I thought maybe God was daring me to do something different with my life--maybe even to become a Sister.

That next year I remember telling Sister Mary Vincent of my desire to become a Sister. She was supportive and answered many questions during that year--no matter how silly they may have been.

My high school experience was rather typical. Although I still felt God calling me to become a Sister, I behaved as a normal teenager might. I often spoke with the two Benedictine Sisters who were teaching there at the time. As a Sophomore, I began to date someone special. It was then that I began to doubt my religious vocation. I wrote to one of my retired Sister friends (Sister Mary Catherine Flynn) sharing my dilemma with her. If God is calling me to become a Sister, why is the temptation of this relationship in my way? I was feeling quite confused.

The wise response from her was this: "Tonette, live your life and live it to its fullest potential. If God is calling you to a religious vocation you will not be able to run from it. Enjoy yourself and let God do the controlling." To this day I still reflect upon those words of wisdom.

As I shared this dilemma with my gentleman friend he took the news rather well. Being a Catholic, he seemed to understand how these thoughts could be prevalent in my life. He suggested that we just continue on our journey together and whatever happens with God happens. This seemed to calm my fears and made him even more irresistible to me.

As my relationship developed with this gentleman, thoughts about a religious vocation were pushed out of my mind (or so I thought). However, I would periodically visit the Sisters from my elementary school. They were still very special to me. Every now and then the thought about a vocation would knock on my conscience and try to sneak back into my reality. When that happened I would push those thoughts away as quickly as possible. But, it seems that the harder I pushed, the more strongly the thought of religious life would return.

My gentleman friend and I chose to attend the same university and continued to date all through college. Thoughts of both religious life and marriage were having a tug-of-war within my soul. I was truly torn with trying to do God's will when I didn't really know what God was asking of me. I was grasping for signs, but they were so unclear to me at the time.

Upon returning to college after spending time at home on a break, I realized that instead of traveling southbound on the interstate I was traveling northbound! I then knew what I had to do. I ended up in Cullman, AL (an hour from my home) not having the first idea of what I was going to say to anyone as to why I was there.

As I walked into the main entrance it was just by coincidence (or was it?) that one of the few Sisters I knew came walking through the glass doors just opposite of me. I didn't really know what to say other than I wished to visit one of the Sisters. While this Sister was tending to my request I waited nervously in one of the parlors. Unbeknownst to me, this same Sister made contact with the Vocation Director, Sister Bernadette Sachs.

When I was introduced to Sister Bernadette, all I could share was that I knew I belonged at Sacred Heart Monastery but that I didn't know if I had the courage to go against society's and my family's expectations for my future. The only advice given by Sister Bernadette was this: "If it is meant to be the Spirit will help you find the courage you need." At the time, that wasn’t exactly the type of encouragement I was expecting. But, now, I realize that it was the best advice anyone could have given me.

When I returned to college I knew that I had to at least give religious life a try. I knew that I had tried to push God out of my life but that God was not giving up on me that easily. That discussion with my gentleman friend was the most difficult thing I have had to do thus far in my adult life. Although he understood my feelings, it was painful for both of us.

My fiat, my yes to God caused my life to take on a whole new meaning. The missing puzzle piece finally slid into place causing a wholeness to occur in my life. I knew that by entering Sacred Heart Monastery I was "coming home."

Ten years later I am still very happy journeying on this Benedictine way of life. Each day I am called to new and exciting possibilities knowing the love of my Sisters in Christ will support me on this journey. How blessed I am to be among such a loving Community on the same journey of seeking God.

Please feel free to contact us:
Sister Magdalena Craig,OSB
Vocation Director

Sister Therese Haydel, OSB
Associate Vocation Director

916 Convent Road
Cullman, AL 35055
256-734-2199
vocations@shmon.org