Serra Club Vocations Essay

Oldenburg student finds inspiration for faith in American women saints

By Elsa Schneider (Special to The Criterion)

As the United States enters its next chapter, a new generation is needed to answer God’s call to continue its legacy built on Christian morals.

The history of our country and the Catholic Church here inspires me to answer God’s call daily and say “Yes” to his will for me. There are many people throughout history who have listened to God’s call and relied on him to help them make it through hard times.

Two great examples of trust in God’s providence are St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. They were both pioneer saints who lived their life as God called them to live it. Just as these two great saints had courage to work through difficult times, God is also calling me to be his light in our world.

In order to be God’s light in the world, I must continue to grow in faith. I attend a Catholic school, which really helps me grow in my faith each day. When I participate in Mass, pray and listen to God’s voice, I know that I become more connected to him and his will.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was a widow at a young age and was left with five children to take care of by herself. She converted to Catholicism and opened Catholic schools, orphanages and even started a religious community.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini endured emigrating to the U.S. from Italy and faced trials, including being orphaned at 18, contracting smallpox and overcoming initial rejection by religious orders. She opened schools, orphanages and hospitals that met the needs of others.

After learning about these women of faith, I am inspired by their courage and their faith in God. They teach me to trust God and that he will always come through. Hearing their stories helps me see that everyone can do his or her part to build God’s kingdom.

At this time, I feel that God is calling me to become a nurse in the future. I know I am good at helping people, and I am very empathetic, which enables me to understand people’s feelings. I am confident that I will be a great nurse.

Maybe sometime in the future God will call me to do something else. I know I will listen to God’s call just like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini did. God calls us to do various things throughout our lives, whether big or small. All we have to do is listen to what he is calling us to do and put it into action.
 

(Elsa and her parents, Pete and Jenny Schneider, are members of St. Louis Parish in Batesville. She recently completed the ninth grade at Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg and is the ninth-grade division winner in the Indianapolis Serra Club’s 2026 John D. Kelley Vocations Essay Contest.) †