The Right Inspirations at the Right Moment

Sr. M. Elena Occhialini osa

For forty-six years I have been an Augustinian nun and I live in Milan, Italy.

Some years ago, I was in mission in the Philippines and I was going through a very difficult moment. I was experiencing rejection from one of my co-sisters and this fact was stressing me too much, even though I was aware, being older than her, that it was my task to bear with the situation.

At a certain point, sharing this difficulty with my superior, I was asked to come back to Italy and it did feel like the failure in my life. I was feeling guilty, responsible for having caused suffering to the sisters of my community and uncertain about what I would do in the future.

The night before the scheduled encounter with my superior I was not able to sleep and I felt almost in hell.

The next day at the end of the dialogue when she asked for my availability to come to this community where I am right now - to help the three elderly Sisters together with the six African Sisters who were taking care of them - I experienced all the mercy of God who doesn't look at my mistakes, but just gives a new chance, renewing His trust in me.

During these years I saw God transforming my sins into something great. I saw this both in the ability He gave me, together with the other sisters, to accompany the elderly nuns to their everlasting home, and in the motherly attitude he granted me toward the youngest sisters.

I found myself able to take initiatives I would have never thought of and I met people whom I was able to advise and to encourage with a strength that surely was not mine.

It is the presence of Jesus who accompanies me in whatever I do and that grants me the right inspirations at the right moment.

This fact fills me with peace and gratitude.