“You mustn’t be afraid. If God is calling you, he’ll take care of everything. All you need to do is receive him with a lot of peace, joy, and confidence. I believe fear is a big excuse that is responsible for truncating the true happiness that only God can offer,” Esmeralda Solís Gonzáles told Catholic News Agency.
Esmeralda offers her wisdom from experience. Last year, the twenty-year-old was a beauty queen in Mexico and this year she is a postulant with the Poor Clare Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament. She has answered a call from God and is pursuing Him without fear.
The story of the beauty queen turned religious is attracting much attention. After this post on the Miss Mexico Facebook page, Esmeralda’s story has gone viral. People across the world are more attracted to her call to holiness than her beauty. Just look at the joy and light of Christ that shines forth from her in the picture below!
Join us in praying that Esmeralda’s story will inspire many to respond to God’s call to their vocation without fear. Let her story remind all that a life devoted to the Lord brings more beauty than any earthly pleasure ever will.
Discussion Questions
1. What inspires you must about Esmeralda?
2. What are some of the challenges that Esmeralda may be facing in her new vocation?
3. Why do you think her story has gone viral?
4. Have you heard a call from God?
5. How might your fears be keeping you from all that God wants for you?