Divine Guidance moved me to say ‘Yes’
I am the second child in my family, with my parents and one brother. As a child, I was deeply inspired by the Missionaries of Charity who served the poor in Uguem in Sanguem; their love and dedication sparked a strong desire in me to follow their path. Although I kept my wish to become a nun private, I was moved when the Pilar Sisters began their local work. Their simplicity and love deeply resonated with me. Eventually, I shared my vocation with my hesitant mother. A divine message during prayer gave me courage, and with a nun’s support, my mother consented. Today, I am fulfilled as a missionary in the Missionary Society of Our Lady of Pilar.
— Sr Dalhilda Carvalho, MSP, Uguem-Sanguem
Daily Eucharistic Celebrations strengthened my vocation
When I was young, my parents worked on a cashew plantation. They prioritized our spiritual upbringing by ensuring my brother and I attended the Holy Eucharist each morning. Our home was a sanctuary of faith where we prayed the Rosary daily. My family’s prayerful atmosphere was crucial in shaping my spiritual journey and deepening my sense of God’s calling. Their unwavering support and dedication were instrumental in nurturing this vocation. In 2009, at the age of 13, I took a significant step in answering this call by joining the Seminary of Saligão-Pilerne. Today, I am a Diocesan priest serving as an assistant to the parish priest, of Nuvem.
— Fr Venancio Fernandes, Arambol
Prayerful life of sisters inspired me
In life’s challenges, God’s call is the reason to say ‘Yes.’ As the eldest child in my family, cherished by my parents and both younger sisters, the seeds of my vocation were planted early. My family taught me to pray, and St Joseph Vaz High School, Sancoale, nurtured this call. The prayerful life of the sisters and their work attracted me to follow Jesus through my simple life. Despite conflicting plans, convincing my parents was challenging. I prayed and surrendered everything into the Lord’s hands. I joined the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and now experience God’s love in my life.
— Sr Jovita De Souza,
SFN, Quelossim
Mother Mary’s love led me to priesthood
My vocation began with my miraculous birth. Despite a bleak chance of survival, my parents’ faith and fervent prayers, through the intercession of Venerable Fr Agnel, saved my life. His holy life, combined with my parents’ love and guidance, inspired my love for Jesus from childhood. As a teenager, I admired the Blessed Virgin Mary and felt a strong calling to the priesthood, though the path was unclear. During my final high school year, Carmelite friars handed out questionnaires. The questions ‘Do you want to become a priest?’ and ‘Are you ready to sacrifice?’ led me to discern God’s answer and embrace the Carmelite vocation. Today, I am serving in Canada as a Carmelite priest.
— Fr Victor Fernandes, OCD, Raia
Family environment guided my call
I am blessed to have grown up in a devoted and disciplined family that prioritizes Mass and catechism. I have seven sisters and a brother. My mother is a homemaker, and my father is a government employee. Deepening my faith, I felt a strong call to serve like Jesus and Mary. After discussing this with my mother and my sister, who then spoke to the Parish Priest, I was introduced to the Helpers of Mary convent in Rivona, where I was inspired by the sisters’ loving and dedicated work. Today, I am a grateful member of the Society of Helpers of Mary, serving in mission outside Goa.
— Sr Janet Araujo, SHM, Merces
Vocation talk prompted my ‘Yes’
I’m one of four siblings. As an altar server, I felt called to the priesthood. In Class 6d, I needed surgery due to a serious illness. A third doctor’s intervention, supported by my mother’s prayers to St Francis Xavier, saved my life. Inspired by a vocation talk from the Pilar Fathers, I attended their camp and joined the seminary in Class 9. Despite initial academic struggles, my prayers helped me improve. After Class 12, my mother’s support—‘You went of your own free will’—encouraged me to decide for myself. Today, as a priest of the Society of Pilar, I serve as assistant to the parish priest of Agonda.
— Fr Baltazar Fernandes, SFX, Colva