Get to know one of the newest postulants!
I recently asked Leah Daily a few questions about herself.
Q. What activities were you involved in before applying to the convent?
A. I love to be outside, hiking, camping, or bike riding. I also enjoy music and have been playing the violin for 13 years. Classical pieces and Irish fiddle tunes are my favorite types of music to play. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, baking, and doing crafts, such as making rosaries and cards. I was involved in the Kokomo Symphony Youth Orchestra for 10 years and the Guerin Catholic Orchestra for 4 years. I also was a sacristan at my parish, a 10 year member of 4-H, and a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo.
Q. What/who helped you in discerning your vocation?
A. There were so many people who helped me in my discernment, it is hard to know where to begin! My brother, the witness of our seminarians, Father Hasser, and Sr. Cora Marie OP (from Kokomo) are just a few. I also visited the Sisters from my community in Carmel several times. I prayed with them, recreated with them, and visited their classrooms. I also attended a vocation retreat at the Motherhouse in Nashville in January of this year. Being with the sisters helped me to see the religious life lived out in a beautiful way! Spending time in Adoration, developing a devotion to Our Lady, and attending Mass at least a few times throughout the week helped me to develop a deeper relationship with the Lord and understand His will in my life, as well as the courage to follow Him! Learning about the lives of the Saints and asking for their intercession was definitely helpful for me during the past few years. I especially love Our Blessed Mother, St. Therese the Little Flower, St. Clare, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (who was a lay Dominican!).
Q. What are you most excited about in your next steps?
A. I am so excited to be formed by the community and to grow in understanding of myself and in my relationship with Christ.
Q. What do you anticipate your life to be like in the next year?
A. For the next year my days will be spent in prayer, studying at Aquinas College, recreating with my sisters (including playing sports!), helping with cleaning and serving dinner, and learning what it means to be a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia! I will also be getting to know my sisters and learning how to chant the Divine Office. There are at least 23 other young women entering with me next month on August 15.
Q. What advice do you have for others–both those discerning and the friends/family of those who haven’t discovered their vocation yet?
A. Receiving the Sacraments regularly, including daily Mass and frequent confession, is sooo important in discernment because they help us to develop a close relationship with Christ. Also, remember that the Lord has something amazing planned for each of one of us and He gives us the courage to follow Him. A vocation is a Divine initiative that calls for a human response – both are made in love and it is such a beautiful thing!
Q. Something interesting about you that you’d like to share/random fact about you?
A. I am the first graduate of Guerin Catholic High School to enter the religious life. 🙂
