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At the end of August we had the joy of welcoming a new Candidate, Rita (Ritu) Szabó to our Province. Here, she introduces herself, and tells us something of her journey to the Society...
About five years ago, I began to feel drawn to Ignatian spirituality.
I come from a Calvinist family, and my parents and my wider environment raised me in faith in God. Catholicism, as a culture, was part of my life because of the school I attended, but when I was younger, it did not really speak to me. A few years ago, however, something touched me more deeply through the Catholic Church. In 2024, I received my First Communion and Confirmation at the Jesuit Church in Budapest.
During the years of the catechumenate, at a retreat, as I came to recognise the fragility of my faith, a desire was born in me. As much as my small human self is capable of, strive to be with Him, with Jesus the Lord. With the One who knows, surely and intimately, what it means to remain in faith in the Father even when one is broken as a human being.
Over the past few years, the thought has gradually, more and more, drawn closer to me. What if I could be with Him, and remain with Him, as a religious sister? Since then, I have continued to watch, to listen, and to discern this desire.
I was touched by the spirituality and ministries of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and by the Sacred Heart itself. And somehow, life has brought me closer and closer to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
On August 27th, I moved into the community on Mese Utca, and on August 29th, I became a candidate. I feel gratitude and quiet joy about this.
At present, together with the person responsible for candidates and my spiritual director, Sister Judit Paál, I am continuing to learn how to listen and how to discern all that may help me arrive at an authentic and honest decision. At the same time, I continue my work as a special education teacher working with children with autism, as well as my training in fairytale therapy.
Thank you everyone for keeping me and my journey in your prayers. I, too, carry you and the beloved Society in mine.
(The header image shows Ritu receiving her candidate's medal from Judit RSCJ)
