‘Growing up my dream was to throw javelin for Australia at the Olympic Games. As a teenager, I used to make many excuses to avoid going to Church. I certainly never dreamed of becoming a nun.’
Sr Mel has devoted her life to advocating for access to education in Malawi in East Africa and promoting its unique culture and heritage. She was principal of Bakhita Secondary School, in the small village of Balaka, for seven years.
Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries. The rate of young Malawians who enter university is just a single percent of the population. Less than a third of candidates are female.
A LONG JOURNEY
Sr Mel’s journey began when she was studying to be a physical education teacher and training full-time to represent Australia as an athlete.
‘The Canossian Sisters offered me the opportunity to go to Africa to volunteer for one month with homeless young people.
‘I was 19 at the time and took the chance and went to work at a shelter for homeless kids in Tanzania, East Africa.’
An 11-year-old girl called Neema, who was left in a basket by her parents when she was born, changed Sr Mel’s life.
‘When it was time for me to return to Australia, she begged to come back with me and be my servant. I had to tell this little girl there was nothing I could do to help her, and it broke my heart’, she said.
‘I remember sitting in the Chapel in Tanzania the night before I was to return to Australia, and I got so angry with God. I got angry at the injustice and suffering I saw around me everywhere. I got angry because I felt useless as I could do nothing to help the kids like Neema.’
‘In that moment, God made it clear to me that there was something I could do – I could give my life completely to God and completely to the poor by becoming a Canossian Daughter of Charity.’
A SHOCKING DECISION
She said her decision shocked many people she knew, who thought she was wasting her life. Her javelin coaches never spoke to her again, her parents worried and she lost friends.
‘I had to learn that I can’t expect people to fully understand my vocation, because they haven’t had the experiences with God that I’ve had. But I can ask them to accept me and love me as I am.’
She says that eventually her family realised she found great joy in her vocation. Despite these experiences, Sr Mel does not believe she made a sacrifice.
‘I feel like my life continues to be a testimony to all that I have been blessed with as a Canossian Sister. There is an amazing freedom in religious life where, through discernment, I have the opportunity to be totally open to the Spirit.’
Sr Mel also does not believe in regrets because she sees everything in life as an opportunity where we can learn and become better people.
‘Surely, along the way, I’ve made some mistakes, especially during my early years as a principal in Africa. Before going to lead a school in rural Malawi, I’d only been teaching in Australia for three years, so I knew very little about leading a boarding school of 500 girls.’
GRATEFUL FOR SKILLS LEARNED
She said she has gained more than she has given from religious life and is thankful for her experiences in Africa.
‘I learned so much during my time in Malawi, about being grateful for what we have, about joy that comes not from material possessions but from the knowledge God loves us. I’ve gained so many skills in leadership.’
However, the gift she is deeply grateful for is an ever-deepening personal relationship with Jesus.
‘I have the opportunity every day to sit at the foot of the cross and spend quality time in prayer. Our way of life provides us with so many possibilities for personal formation.’
Sr Mel said giving her life to the Canossian Sisters was worth it.
‘I continue to be amazed by the God of surprises who invites me to follow him. Constantly I’ve been blessed with various opportunities to serve, to widen the tent of my heart, to make a difference to those in greatest need.
‘I’m not sure what the future holds for me, yet I’m excited to discover where God leads me as I step out in faith with him.’
RADICAL ADVENTURE
She is confident God is still calling young women and men to follow him. She said a calling from God can be a radical adventure.
‘Young people might feel called to explore a vocation to religious life, but they feel unworthy, or that they have to be “perfect” to respond to God’s call. My advice would be that if you feel called to follow God with your life, take a step. Don’t remain wondering. Take a risk to explore what religious life might mean for you.’
Religious life in the 21st century is different to what many would expect, Sr Mel said.
‘It’s a life where success is not defined by how much money I make or the job I have, but rather the greatest success is to be able to detach myself from what I want, to discover what God wants, and to respond with my whole heart.
‘Growing up, success for me was about being great on the sporting field and winning gold medals. Some of my greatest achievements now have being able to empower young African girls to achieve their dreams of breaking the cycle of poverty,’ Sr Mel said.
‘What I do each day is seemingly nothing special, and yet it’s a life given completely out of love for God and for those on the margins of society. I believe that if I can make the world a better place for just one person, then that’s enough.’
Laura Kings is Australian Catholics’ assistant editor – youth and education
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