Trust in God

Things were not easy for the Bojaxhiu family after Papa Nikola’s death. His business partner took over the business. But he did not help to support the grieving family. Mama Drana did some sewing for the neighbors to make money. Teenage Aga helped by working too.

The family struggled in many ways. Still Mama Drana always shared what they had with those who were less fortunate. She often invited the poorer townspeople to join the family for dinner. Mama Drana taught her children to trust in God’s Divine Providence. God would give them what they most needed. He would bless their generosity to others.

One day Agnes, now fourteen years old, walked to Sacred Heart Church after school.

“Agnes!” one of her friends called out. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“There’s a meeting of the Children of Mary Sodality,” she replied. “It’s a group of girls our age. We learn more about living our faith. Today the priest is going to tell us more about missionary sisters and the work they are doing. Do you want to come?”

Father Jambrekovic, a Jesuit priest, had started the Children of Mary Sodality. He taught the girls how to know what God wanted for them and many other things. Recently the priest had been speaking about the interesting work that missionary priests, brothers, and sisters did all over the world.

Father Jambrekovic was helping young Agnes understand what God wanted her to do in life. Agnes had been thinking about becoming a religious sister since she was twelve years old. But she was not sure how her mother would react.

One night she told her mother that she wanted to become a missionary sister.

“Agnes, you are too young to make such a decision,” Mama Drana said. “Besides, you have always been a sickly child. You’ve had a weak chest and horrible coughs since you were little.”

“But I believe God is calling me to serve him,” Agnes replied.

“There is more than one way to serve the Lord,” her mother said. “You sing in the choir. You play the mandolin. You tutor your friends. Those are ways of serving God too!”

When Agnes tried to explain about her desire to be a sister, her mother stopped her. Mama Drana had made her decision. For now, Agnes would go to school. She would continue to pray to know God’s will for her.