How Sr. Mary Grace Found God's Love (and How You Can Too)

There is something everyone forgets about Mother's Day.

When you think about Mother's Day, you might have images of your mum frantically trying to get you ready before school, or her amazing homemade meals. 

But never would the image of a nun cross someone's mind.

In fact, it can seem like the opposite of motherhood. After all, nuns don’t have children. To many, it seems like they’ve given up on being a woman altogether.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Today, I have done a special Q&A with Sr. Mary Grace from the Sisters of Life. 

Sister Mary Grace is a true-blue Aussie who decided to ditch her Olympic career, go to America, and join the Sisters of Life. Since then, she's touched thousands by showing people just how much God loves us. Sr Mary Grace has racked up an impressive C.V., including being a:

-Host on Ascension Presents' podcast, 'Let Love'.

-Missionary, who actually just came back from Ireland (and Australia last year)

-Last resort for mothers in crisis

-Sought-after speaker at FOCUS Catholic, in front of over 19,000 people

 

The reason she has become so popular is because of just how deeply her message resonated with people. Even just being around her, she somehow manages to get rid of all the despair that you've been holding on to.

 

This is Sr. Mary Grace's story and quick advice on how to truly 'live love'.

 

“You were a normal university student at Notre Dame and had just been chosen to represent Australia in the Olympics. What made you give up everything to become a sister?"

The Olympics were my dream from as young as I can remember. To represent my country and be part of something greater than myself was incredibly attractive as a young Aussie. I never thought of being a Sister. It never crossed my mind, and I never thought I’d want it either. But when I experienced the love of Jesus when I first met the Sisters at 18, it was as if my heart was resuscitated and my Olympic dream was incomparable to the dreams God awoke in me for Him and His plans for me. 

 

Many women fear that saying “yes” to religious life means saying “no” to everything God created them to be, especially as women, wives, and mothers. How does your vocation fulfil the feminine and maternal aspects of your heart?

I entered as a woman and didn’t leave my feminine heart at the door! God knows this and planned to fulfill the beauty of womanhood that He designed in me. Following Jesus always causes us to come alive, in every way He created us to be. I’ve been amazed at how He has filled my heart with a love for the countless people I get to meet and share in His love for them, like they were my own. One of my biggest fears was becoming lonely in this vocation. But I’ve experienced the total opposite. The love of Christ is real, alive and closer to me than anything I could have imagined for myself. I’ve been delightfully surprised by how God has not diminished my gifts and love, but brought them to life and levels I didn’t know were possible for me. 

 

What would you say to a woman who feels like she’s not enough — not a good enough mother, wife, or daughter?

The very fact that you exist is evidence of your worth. None of us is the cause of our own creation, and neither are we the cause of our next breath. You exist because you are loved, from before the world began, He thought of each one of us, unique, unrepeatable. And He loved that you are in that plan. Fear not to be yourself. God loves you for you. The good news is relieving and deeply liberating. You are not enough, you are more than enough, because you are wanted by God and you always will be. You have permission to be yourself and let Him love you for you.

 

How can women learn to trust God’s plan, especially when it looks different from what they imagined?

Jesus doesn’t ask us to figure everything out on our own. He made us for an intimate relationship with Him, and we can’t flourish without our hands in His. Trust is holding on and turning to Him whom our hearts were created for, to with live in union with, in every vocation and at every age. Growing in trust is a journey we’re all on, but Jesus is trustworthy and never abandons us. Especially when the plans are seemingly turned upside down, disappointing, or discouraging, Jesus always has a plan for a way forward. The answers to our dilemmas, hurts and our healing all lay in His Hands. Trusting in Him is the most secure choice we can make at every moment of our lives. 

 

Our company’s mission is to help raise a generation of Australian saints. If you could give one piece of advice to someone on their journey to sainthood, what would it be?

Pray and never give up on it. Prayer is not always an easy thing for us, but more than a task, it is staying connected with God from within. We have been offered friendship with God in Christ, and He’s not about using us but blessing us with His presence in our lives. Get used to talking to Jesus. In times of protected prayer and in every moment in between. If we stay close to Jesus, His Love and Life will be unleashed in the world in a way that no other task, project or initiative could dare achieve. Holiness is responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, whom God has given us. Do not be afraid to listen, to follow His voice, and to seek His life in you. Be yourself, be with Christ and He will bring His kingdom into the world through you. 

 

Your life’s been a bit of a rollercoaster… from everything you’ve learnt, what practical insight has been the most helpful?

That the mercy of God knows no bounds. I’ve seen Gods mercy move in my miseries, and it changes everything. I’ve seen His merciful love bring not only healing but new life in the hearts of those we serve and in my own everyday. I can’t thank Him enough for His Word and His Body each day in the Sacraments that bring His mercy to me. The most helpful insight I’ve learned is to drink at the fountain of His graces in the sacraments. We cannot live and grow without them!

 

What’s something that you believe Australian Catholic women need to know now?

Do not underestimate the power of your love. God doesn’t expect you to have it all together, a perfect track record or the answers to everything. He wants you, more than He needs you. Let yourself be loved by Him and you will discover life like never before. 

 

What’s your favourite Catholic book—and how has it formed your heart or shaped your faith?

After the Bible, I’d say the poetry of St. John of the Cross. He’s taught me more about my heart and its desire for God and Him for me than anything else I’ve ever read. 

 

Your sister, Sr. Maria Faustina, wrote Jesus I Trust in You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust. For someone picking it up for the first time, what can they expect to encounter?

You can expect Jesus, and you can expect to be blessed by her witness and insights. I’ll never forget Sr Faustina saying to me, “We don’t trust in circumstances, we trust in a Person and His name is Jesus.” Truths on trust change our lives and call us to live in the bold and radical freedom of being a child of God. Trust is the direct route to God's heart. We can learn enough. You can expect to enjoy it.

 

Sr. Mary Grace is an inspirational Aussie who has chosen to 'let love'. 

If you want to learn more about or support the Sisters of Life, you can do so on their here. And if you've been thinking about joining the religious life, I'm sure Fr Russo or any vocation director would be excited to have a chat.

Happy Mother's Day and God Bless,

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