I am from Chiclayo, Lambayeque. I grew up in a family that thought that to be a Christian was to participate in the liturgical acts of Christmas and Holy Week, that is to say, it was not a real practice of faith. When I was 15 years old, my parents were invited to a retreat, but they could not attend, and I went in their place, replacing them. It is there that I began to participate in the activities of the parish, I became a catechist, I had the children, I began to form myself for confirmation.

During the vacations I went to Lima, because my brothers were there. From there, I don’t know why, I sent my mother a letter telling her that I wanted to become a religious when I finished my studies. When I returned home it was all uproar, no one took my decision to go to the convent seriously. It was impossible for God to call a restless and mischievous girl.

In Chichayo, the Mothers were staying at a friend’s house. I had told my friends that I wanted to become a nun. And my friend told the Mothers. They came to my house, talked to my parents, talked about what the vocation meant. I liked the mission, and they invited me to go to Caravelí. Mother Graciela and Mother Lorenza made my parents sign the permission to enter the Convent, since I was still a minor. When I finished my 4th year of high school, the Mothers invited me to Caravelí, and I went with my friend because she also had this concern. I had the grace to meet Our Mother Wilibrordis, and I was in some of her classes. I was there as a visitor and also lived with the aspirants, in the convent “Betania”. I returned and began to study my 5th year of secondary school, I cut a little the communication with the Mothers, because I was young, and the thoughts of “will it be good what I am going to do, how will it be…”, haunted me.

By the end of my 5th year of high school, I contacted the Mothers again, because I was sure I had to do it. My parents were discouraged, but the permission was already signed. My mom didn’t want to receive the Mothers so as not to commit herself, so I talked to the Mothers, and we agreed to meet in February. My dad understood and supported me, and he was in charge of requesting the documents and everything I needed to enter the convent. He seemed the most excited, but both my mom and dad supported me. I also received spiritual support from the parish priest and parish groups. Well, here I am, I have been in the Convent for almost 30 years now, since 1997 and I have persevered by the grace of God, in this beautiful mission.

Mother Veronica MJVVV, Peru