Sister Marisa Revert Font, Physician: Moved by the Spirit. From Barcelona to Houston.
Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston

Born in Barcelona, Spain, Sister Marisa Revert Font was one of four children. Her sister Juana, the eldest, died at age eighteen in a motorcycle accident. Her sudden death brought a lot of pain to the family.

Those years are kind of a dark period, full and empty at the same time, but she held on to faith. Later she attended Medical School and volunteered at a downtown after-school center for children that kept her busy. At the age of 27, Sister Marisa was about to finish a residency in family and community medicine. Following a beautiful, troubled and quite platonic relationship, and still pursuing a regular prayer life, she first experienced a call to give her life totally to God. It was not a pleasant surprise; it was scary, painful and awesome, all at the same time.

She had just received a scholarship to come to the U.S. to study Community Health. She made an agreement with God and with herself: She would continue to pursue a committed prayer life and be open to whatever life would bring her to Houston, the city she chose for her studies. This is her story:

"While studying in Houston Medical Center, I met Sister Margaret Whooley who invited me to Ruah for days of prayer. In Ruah, God's Spirit blessed me with Sister Kathleen Smith who became my spiritual director. I began having a closer relationship with God and began learning more about God's love.

I spent three years studying and working in Houston and in 1992, I returned to Barcelona. During the next four years I decided it was time to take a serious look at religious life. I initiated a journey to discern God's call in my life. In 1995, with the help of Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Margaret, Sr. Maureen Costello and Father Abel, I made the decision to enter the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston.

I have now been in the Congregation for four years and a few months. The first year, my prenovitiate year, was very hard. Mysteriously enough, that year finished with probably the best eight days I had had in a long time. Those eight days in Grand Coteau Retreat Center changed my life. I experienced God's unconditional love for me in a very real and intimate way.

Three years after that retreat, I find myself in CHRISTUS St. Mary Hospital. This is my first official ministry. I love this little hospital and the friendly people here. The support of my community, the graces, the crosses and the blessings we have experienced together, have continued to nourish my desire to fulfill my vows, day by day, communion after communion. It is a challenge, but a good challenge.

So, what else can I say but this: 'To you shall vows be made,' so that your people may be 'filled with the good things of your house.'

'To You we owe our hymn of praise. O God in Zion; To you must vows be fulfilled, You who fear our prayers. To You all flesh must come because of wicked deeds. We are overcome by our sins; it is You who pardon them. Happy the one You choose and bring to dwell in Your courts. May we be filled with the good things for your house, The holy things of your temple!' (Psalm 65)

Every time we read this psalm during the liturgy of the hours I remember the day I made my first annual vows. As I read the psalm, I feel an invitation to be more aware of the call I have received and to ask for the grace of bringing the vows I made to greater fulfillment day by day. I have now lived in annual vows for a year and two months and I am happy. I may even dare to say that I am the happiest I have been in all of my thirty-nine years of life.