Meet Sister Seyram Mary Adzokpa and Zoey Stapleton, two young women who are part of the under-30 group that makes up less than 1% of Catholic nuns in the United States. Seyram and Zoey have embarked on unique journeys, shaped by personal callings and family ties, that led them to a life of devotion.
Sister Seyram Mary Adzokpa first felt drawn to religious life while walking through a Texas Walmart at age 25, a surprising setting for a life-changing moment. Raised in a Catholic family in Ghana, she had never seen a nun until adulthood. While she initially envisioned a future filled with marriage and children, Seyram’s plans shifted dramatically when she encountered two Dominican sisters in impeccably pressed habits. “My heart just — I can’t explain what it felt like — but it was a pull,” she recalled.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic urged Seyram to contemplate this new direction more seriously. As a nurse on the front lines, she faced fears and uncertainties, realizing she yearned for a deeper connection, one she found in God. Encouraged by her spiritual director to explore this calling, Seyram began to ‘date’ Jesus, integrating Him into daily activities from cooking to movie nights. A decisive moment came during a film about Venerable Henriette DeLille, co-founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family, the congregation she would join at 27.
Sister Seyram’s decision to join a religious life came with mixed emotions, particularly as she contemplated her family’s reactions. As a child of immigrants, she struggled with the thought of possibly disappointing her parents, who had sacrificed much for the American dream. Contrary to her fears, their support was unwavering, reaffirming her faith and commitment.
Since joining the Sisters of the Holy Family, Seyram has taken temporary vows and melded her nursing skills with her spiritual path, caring for the elderly sisters whose average age is around 80. “Despite having a career and a life that I enjoyed, still being able to respond to this call is God’s persistence,” she said, expressing her belief that divine intervention doesn’t relent.
Meanwhile, Zoey Stapleton faced her own challenges in pursuing religious life. Growing up as an only child in Pennsylvania, family ties were strong. Yet, the calling was persistent. “We have a very, very tight bond,” Zoey admitted, accepting that joining the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother in Ohio would mean significant separation from her family.
After completing her studies in clinical psychology and counseling, Zoey returned home to savor familial moments before entering religious life. Her decision, while not surprising, was emotionally complex for her parents, particularly her mother, Peggy, who sought prayers from their parish community while coming to terms with her daughter’s new path.
Zoey’s upbringing was surrounded by older nuns, but her spark for religious life ignited after meeting young sisters in Ohio. Now a postulant, she remains close to her family, who actively support her decision. Her mother Peggy’s acceptance eventually transformed into pride, acknowledging, “What can be better than Jesus, God asking your daughter to be so close to him?”
Both Seyram and Zoey illustrate the diverse backgrounds and paths that young women navigate as they choose this rare life of faith. United through their commitment, they embody a modern adaptation of traditional devotion, balancing spirituality with familial love and personal fulfillment.
The stories of Sister Seyram Mary Adzokpa and Zoey Stapleton are reminders of the myriad ways faith can manifest in one’s life. These young women’s choices highlight not only the challenges of stepping away from societal expectations but also the profound support and joy that can accompany such a decision. Their journeys suggest that faith in contemporary times is not bound by convention but is a personal, evolving relationship with the divine.
Source: Apnews
