Religious Life: A Witness beyond Borders

Religious life is a witness to Christ’s presence in the world and should offer others a tangible sign of God’s love for humanity. That was my first thought when I reflected on the theme: “Beyond Borders into the World.”

At first glance, the theme is striking—because, as human beings, we are constantly striving to do our best. But it also raises some profound questions: What borders are we crossing? What does our world look like? And how can we truly reach those beyond our borders?

Today, regardless of where we live, conflicts and struggles compel us to look beyond ourselves—at the very least, to consider the plight of others, to understand how they live, and perhaps to lend a hand. In fact, our faith and our charism compel us to be moved by what we witness and to respond in a countercultural way. Our hearts should be pierced by the very sorrow that pierces the Heart of Christ.

As an Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I am invited to see the world through a lens that reveals God’s love and seeks to heal its brokenness. Each of us, by virtue of our baptism, carries the grace to promote God’s kingdom here on earth. But we must ask ourselves: Where are we carrying that grace?

Over the past two years, my local community and I have responded to this call through our foreign mission. We are the first missionaries of our congregation to serve in the West African nation of Ghana. Located in a small rural town five hours from the capital city of Accra, we have been richly blessed by both God and the people around us.

None of us had ever been to Africa before, yet each of us felt called to move beyond the borders of our home countries to serve. Some may see this as a bold decision—to trade family, friends, and familiarity for tropical heat, a developing economy, and a simpler way of life. But it is precisely in those challenges that we find our calling.

In Genesis 12:1, the Lord says to Abram: “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.” We are not the first to be called away from what is known and loved. But the mandate remains the same: to leave everything behind for the sake of the Kingdom. Jesus reiterates this in Matthew 19:21, promising that those who give up home and family for His sake will inherit eternal life.

As consecrated persons, we have vowed to follow Christ to the ends of the earth in pursuit of a heavenly reward. Serving in a foreign mission is an example of following that call. We are not made for comfort, but to proclaim the Gospel.

In Ghana, we have made sacrifices—personally and communally—but more importantly, we have received immense blessings. We have encountered profound joy, heartfelt welcome, and fellowship in a Christian community that embraces us despite our differences. Words cannot fully describe the love we have felt while adapting to our new home. The local community, including our parish, has embraced us and walked alongside us in this shared journey of faith.

By accepting their love, we also learn the beauty of letting go of the familiar. We stretch ourselves to love in new ways, to meet people where they are, and to encounter models of Church that transcend Western norms. We learn to cast off modern stereotypes of what is “important” and instead focus on the essentials: family, community, and simplicity. Our work is not centered on social development, but on promoting human dignity. We are not fundraisers but aim to provide basic services. We evangelize not to convert, but to invite others to have an encounter with Christ.

Above all, we are humbled to realize that who we are is far more important than what we do. That awareness helps us to love above all and break through borders and boundaries.