“How exciting – sister Alexandra tells us – to be able to share with you what we experienced at the celebration of Sister Andreea’s perpetual consecration in Timișoara, Romania.
Sister Andreea grew up with her brother and parents in Brașov, in the Transylvania region. From an early age she was taken by her relatives, especially her grandmother, to receive the first sacraments. The family was and is practicing and this has been the cornerstone on which her relationship with God is founded. School was another landmark in her life until she completed her studies at the Faculty of Social Work in her hometown.
Her contact with the Sisters of Charity was truly providential. Before that, however, she went through a long period of vocational discernment for six years, between forming a family and consecrated life. At one point, Andreea received an invitation to go to Medjugorje with a group of young people from the parish. There, in prayer, she received the answer to the question of vocational search.
The meeting with the Sisters of Charity came after a year, through her mother. She was also receiving herself in Medjugorje and knew a Sister of Charity.
Andreea experienced postulancy in Bucharest, novitiate time in Rome, and a year of juniorate in France. Returning to Romania, she experienced service in various communities. Her mission has been among children, in social work, with migrants, and with youth.
Currently, Sister Andreea is in Timișoara, a community serving mainly young people. Sisters in the community of Timișoara – a large multicultural city toward the borders with Serbia and Hungary – visit the sick and elderly in their homes, collaborate in parish ministry and in social work.
The perpetual consecration celebration began with a prayer vigil with the youth, the sisters, and her family. It was an intense moment of communion with Sister Andreea, who was excited and happy to say her Yes forever to the Lord after a few hours.
On September 29, 2024, the celebration was a great moment of spiritual communion with God and all His saints. We were all one body and one soul praying for a generous nun in saying her yes for eternity.
The young people from the diocesan choir sang beautifully, helping people to pray and be focused on what they were living. The celebrant during the homily emphasized two important things: faithfulness in vocation and perseverance to the end.
Also significant was the presence of the pastor, who gave full availability, opening the doors of the parish house so that everything would go smoothly. At the end, the pastor concluded with a smile, “Sister Andreea can celebrate one more week…but after that she has to start her work in the parish.”
The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a beautiful convivial moment together with the sisters, priests, family members, young people, and acquaintances.
It was an intense moment of sharing and unity. We sang, danced, truly feeling like a family.
