My Vocation Story
My journey to becoming a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians began in a large, devout Catholic family. The youngest of eleven children born to Stephano Gura and Paschalia Kaote, I learned early at home the importance of love, unity, gentleness, politeness, forgiveness and family spirit. While some of my siblings later joined other denominations, our home was a foundation of faith, with my father serving as a catechist.
The seed of my vocation was planted through frequent interactions with the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Mary of Africa from my parish. Their visits to our home, and the close relationship they shared with my seventh-born sister (who is a member of their order), deeply impacted me. I cherished the time spent with them, joining them for visits and staying with them on Sundays.
My sister’s final vows in 1996 were a key moment. My experience of participating in the Litany stirred a profound desire within me to dedicate my life to God. My father’s words during her thanksgiving Mass in our home parish resonated deeply: his gratitude for his children, and his willingness to offer them back to God, even the youngest, solidified my own calling. At twelve years old, these words became a source of strength, especially when I later faced resistance from my siblings about my entrance in the institute.
After my confirmation, I joined the parish vocation group, where sisters and seminarians nurtured our understanding of God’s call. My desire to become a religious grew stronger. Sharing my aspirations with my sister, however, yielded a cautious response: “Study first; don’t be in a hurry. Vocation doesn’t expire’’. She provided me with a directory of religious congregations, encouraging me to explore.
During secondary school, I encountered various religious orders. The Franciscan Sisters of Charity discouraged me due to their rejection of me because of my distant diocese. I then connected with the Bene Maria congregation from Burundi and maintained contact for four years, awaiting the completion of my studies.
A chance encounter with Fr. Eustace Siame, SDB in 2006, proved to be a turning point. He recognized my calling to religious life, and after a year of gentle persistence, I confided in him. He connected me with Sr. Virginia Bickford, the superior of the Salesian Sisters in Dar es Salaam community at that time. My initial visit to their community, however, was discouraging. Placed in a group of young children during oratory, I felt overwhelmed and unprepared for I never had an experience with small children.
Despite my initial reluctance, I responded to Sr. Virginia’s subsequent letter out of politeness. Our correspondence blossomed into a close relationship after writing to each other 4 times. When finishing high school, I accepted her invitation to continue discerning my vocation with the Salesian Sisters. This decision met with some resistance from my siblings, my siblings resisted, concerned by the congregation’s history of Tanzanian girls joining but not persevering. They preferred a local order, believing this congregation had unresolved issues affecting its Tanzanian girls.
