Sr Nerina Zanardo
"Remain in my love..."
I professed my religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a Daughter of St Paul on 30 June 1968. From the beginning, I did not see these vows as a list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” Rather, I understood them as a profound and lifelong commitment, a step of faith that carried both promise and uncertainty.
Living the vows is not a solitary journey. It is something I continue to share and grow in with my sisters in community. Together, we support one another as we strive to live the Gospel and witness to our vows through the freedom and responsibility of our Pauline mission, to bring Christ to others through the means of communication and through our lives.
Over the years, my experiences have taught me that the three vows can be summed up in one simple yet powerful call: to be love and to do everything in love. This has become the heart of what living the vows means for me today. It is the principle that grounds me, guides my choices, and inspires my daily actions. Our ability to love comes from God’s own love for us, “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). ❦