Last week, we were welcomed into the home of the Chaldean Sisters, Daughters of Mary Immaculate and met the seven Chaldean sisters that reside in the Our Lady of Chaldean Sisters convent.

Sister Rose, 23, will profess her vows this September after her two years in the role of a novice. Her childhood desires to become a teacher are now coming to fruition as she pursues a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Sister Rose helped us understand the deep spiritual history of the Chaldean community and the significant role Sisters take within today's Chaldean community here in Michigan. Witty and wise beyond her years is the best way to describe Sister Rose.

We then sat with Sister Bernadette whose path to the convent holds wonderful lessons and inspiration through her painful personal journey. Sister Bernadette, now in her 30s, and a pillar of spiritually leadership, hails from a far different lifestyle than the sisterhood she’s in now. Sister Bernadette shared her experience as a high schooler trying to fit in who would often be found partying until late hours. The innocent high school parties soon turned into drug and alcohol abuse which led her down a grim path.

Luckily, her best friend growing up, now a priest, Father Patrick Setto, was always looking out for her. He prayed for her intercession and even had others pray for his dear friend. Her spiritual journey was sparked by a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France with Father Patrick, where, after some hesitation, Sister Bernadette drank and washed in the fountain at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Sister Bernadette's most important advocate is her father. Like any hard working immigrant who came to our country many years ago, her father never gave up on his daughter. When she visits her childhood home and leaves to travel back to the convent, her dad hugs her and always says how proud he is of her.

Sister Bernadette professed her first vows in 2021. She actively serves the Chaldean Diocese and is a certified spiritual director through the Heart of Christ School of Spiritual Direction. Along with ministry, she is also pursuing her degree in Theology at Franciscan University.

These two sisters are exactly the reason we want to tell this story.