Support a Vocation
Donation protected
Hello family and friends,
Throughout my life, I’ve felt God’s gentle tug on my heart. And today, I have decided to say, “yes.”
I look back with fondness on the way God invited me to align my life fully around Him. At my baptism, He planted little seeds of vocation in the soil of my soul. Throughout my life, He sent loving members of his Body to help sow them. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, my mother, grandparents, and godparents helped nourish my understanding of true joy and righteousness. My education, grounded in faith, ensured that God was always at the center of my life. I attended Catholic school from preschool until I graduated Loretto Academy High School in 2014. The teachers and life-long friends I made along the way ingrained my incredible fondness of values like love, service, and generosity.
I will graduate and receive my degree in Early Childhood Education December 2018 from New Mexico State University. It is here that I took all of God’s graces from my past and turned them into opportunities to not only strengthen my beliefs but also walk with others in their faith journey. During my four years at NMSU, I have been an active member of the Catholic Campus Ministry. I have been blessed to obtain leadership positions and build community with other students on campus.
It is during my college ministry, where I began to hear God’s call louder than ever before. As I lived God’s words in action, my path in life became clearer than ever and I was confident in God’s call. Through much prayer and discernment, I decided to answer that call with a resounding “YES!” Now, I begin my journey into entering religious life.
The congregation that I am in discernment with is The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. I have had the privilege of living with the sisters in their convent for the last year where I have been able to participate in their daily religious life. I am very excited to see what the future holds for me and upon graduating in December, I will be moving to Louisiana to start my formation process and start my postulancy. This stage takes two years and then I will move on to the novitiate.
However, according to Canon Law, I will not be able to enter into the convent until my debt is paid. Before entering the novitiate, I will need to have my entire student loan paid off.
This is where I humbly ask for your help as I enter this new chapter in my life. I have responded with generosity, courage, and joy. But I must pass this final hurdle so that my seeds of vocation can finally grow to their full, intended potential. Just as a community of believers help lead me to this moment, I ask that you help me fulfill my divine desire to live as a humble servant and dedicate my life to the good of humanity.
Equally as important, I also ask for your prayers throughout this journey. I am confident that the Lord has a great plan, and by your generous help I can fulfill this calling to serve Him.
Blessings and Love,
Justine Del Castillo
Throughout my life, I’ve felt God’s gentle tug on my heart. And today, I have decided to say, “yes.”
I look back with fondness on the way God invited me to align my life fully around Him. At my baptism, He planted little seeds of vocation in the soil of my soul. Throughout my life, He sent loving members of his Body to help sow them. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, my mother, grandparents, and godparents helped nourish my understanding of true joy and righteousness. My education, grounded in faith, ensured that God was always at the center of my life. I attended Catholic school from preschool until I graduated Loretto Academy High School in 2014. The teachers and life-long friends I made along the way ingrained my incredible fondness of values like love, service, and generosity.
I will graduate and receive my degree in Early Childhood Education December 2018 from New Mexico State University. It is here that I took all of God’s graces from my past and turned them into opportunities to not only strengthen my beliefs but also walk with others in their faith journey. During my four years at NMSU, I have been an active member of the Catholic Campus Ministry. I have been blessed to obtain leadership positions and build community with other students on campus.
It is during my college ministry, where I began to hear God’s call louder than ever before. As I lived God’s words in action, my path in life became clearer than ever and I was confident in God’s call. Through much prayer and discernment, I decided to answer that call with a resounding “YES!” Now, I begin my journey into entering religious life.
The congregation that I am in discernment with is The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. I have had the privilege of living with the sisters in their convent for the last year where I have been able to participate in their daily religious life. I am very excited to see what the future holds for me and upon graduating in December, I will be moving to Louisiana to start my formation process and start my postulancy. This stage takes two years and then I will move on to the novitiate.
However, according to Canon Law, I will not be able to enter into the convent until my debt is paid. Before entering the novitiate, I will need to have my entire student loan paid off.
This is where I humbly ask for your help as I enter this new chapter in my life. I have responded with generosity, courage, and joy. But I must pass this final hurdle so that my seeds of vocation can finally grow to their full, intended potential. Just as a community of believers help lead me to this moment, I ask that you help me fulfill my divine desire to live as a humble servant and dedicate my life to the good of humanity.
Equally as important, I also ask for your prayers throughout this journey. I am confident that the Lord has a great plan, and by your generous help I can fulfill this calling to serve Him.
Blessings and Love,
Justine Del Castillo
Organizer
Justine Del Castillo
Organizer
El Paso, TX