Sister Ana Julia Granados, CCVI, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston

I grew up in a family that was very committed to Christian life. Ever since I was a small child, I used to see the Sisters serving our parish and our community, and I would say to myself: "I want to be like them." I also wanted to serve my community and give the same meaning to my life. My educational background is in teaching and accounting.

Working With The Elderly And Disabled
I have worked in Central America with the elderly and with the physically and mentally disabled, who were mostly homeless. They had been abandoned by their families because they could not take care of themselves; much less keep a regular job to help with the family expenses. I was able to find God in each of them, and to live the compassion and the Charism of the Congregation:

The Gifts I have Received
With many of these people, I have sat beside their hospital beds, and I accompanied some in the final moments of their life. Every person that passed away left a void in me, but at the same time an important lesson, which will remain with me until I too, become elderly. The wonder of the fact that I, a young person, have had the opportunity to give back to these older adults the gifts that God has given me has helped me to feel true compassion, to feel their pain, to make it mine, and then return it to God. I have been changed; because of it, I am no longer the same Ana Julia; it has allowed me to be more human, a better child of God, and a better person.

Working With Youth
In a parallel manner, through my work with youth I have come to understand that I do not need to hide my joviality. I can be a cheerful person, with whom, given my age, these young individuals can communicate freely, because I know of their hopes, their dreams, their weaknesses, and even of their rebelliousness.
Founding Congregations: Sisters of Divine Providence; Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston; Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament; and Dominican Sisters of Houston.