On the occasion of International Women\u2019s Day, EWTN Vatican spoke with Sister Emanuela Edwards, a Missionary of Divine Revelation whose life journey has taken her from the financial world of London to the spiritual heart of Rome.<\/p>\n
When asked what she values most about being a woman, Sister Emanuela responded with disarming simplicity: \u201cI was born that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the City of London to Religious Life<\/p>\n
Her path to religious life was far from conventional. Once a successful businesswoman driving BMWs and Mercedes through the City of London, she eventually left behind the comforts of a professional career to follow what she describes as a deeper calling.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the unique qualities women bring to their vocation, Sister Emanuela said, \u201cI think a woman has a soft way of getting to where she wants to go. I think she’s able to look and appreciate and nurture people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discovering a Calling<\/p>\n
Speaking with EWTN Vatican correspondent Zofia Czubak, Sister Emanuela recalled her early years growing up in Manchester and the gradual realization that God might have a plan for her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew from an early age that maybe the Lord had something for me to do,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I can say that I was absolutely resistant to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although she always felt a deep love for God, the idea of becoming a religious sister was something she initially resisted. \u201cWhenever the idea of being a sister, it was kind of, Lord, you can ask me anything, but don’t ask me that,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Yet, as she describes it, God continued to pursue her. \u201cThe Lord has his way, you know, of breaking us down. You know, he’s the Hound of Heaven who continues to search for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
In her late twenties, Sister Emanuela began seriously asking what God was calling her to do. Around that time she encountered the story of the Virgin of Revelation, who appeared in Rome in 1947.<\/p>\n
\u201cI encountered this wonderful story of the Virgin of Revelation who appeared here in Rome in 1947, and I was captivated by that,\u201d she said. The discovery inspired her to begin leading a prayer group in England dedicated to the Virgin of Revelation.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo every Monday evening I would teach the faith and we would pray the rosary devoted to Our Lady,\u201d she recalled. Through that experience, she sensed her vocation becoming clearer. \u201cObviously the Lord started to work on me in a more profound way until after a visit to Rome, finally I understood that he called me to be a missionary of divine revelation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Evangelizing Through Beauty, Basilicas and Art<\/p>\n
Today, Sister Emanuela\u2019s mission includes accompanying pilgrims through Rome\u2019s great basilicas, using art, architecture, and history as tools for evangelization.<\/p>\n
Asked about the contribution women can make to missionary work, she emphasized the importance of connection and openness. \u201cA woman works, if you like, with the people amongst the flock, trying in very, very many different ways,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
One of those ways is through explaining the faith through beauty. \u201cWe have this wonderful mission of explaining the faith through art and so that is a point of connection and I think as a woman it’s very, very powerful,\u201d she explained. She added that women often approach people in a way that encourages dialogue: \u201cI think a woman’s way is often more disarming so people feel freer to open up and to ask questions and that can be important in bringing the faith to this generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although many people might describe her role as that of a tour guide, Sister Emanuela sees it differently. \u201cWhen I accompany people into the Great Basilica’s in Rome, I’m not a tour guide as such,\u201d she said. \u201cI’m more someone who accompanies the people to understand the history of this wonderful basilica as a means of teaching them the faith, as a means of bringing them closer to God. I think it’s something God, if you like, with his call elected me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overcoming Challenges Through Prayer<\/p>\n
Leaving home to follow a vocation in another country brought its own challenges. Moving from England to Italy meant adapting to a new language, culture, and environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think when someone leaves your place where you were born and the language and you go to a foreign place, there are innumerable challenges,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Among those challenges were practical ones. \u201cEvery challenge, which can be practical, how to speak Italian, it was a great challenge for me. Living in a different place, I don’t really like the heat either, so that was a challenge too.\u201d<\/p>\n
There were also emotional sacrifices. \u201cIt’s a challenge as well, not seeing your family regularly as well,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n
For Sister Emanuela, however, the answer to every difficulty has remained the same: prayer. \u201cI think the only way to overcome any difficulty, whether it’s a practical or a spiritual, is in front of the Blessed Sacrament praying,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so every difficulty that I have, then as now, I confront with the Lord in prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Alberto Basile, Fabio Gonnella; Video Edited by Andrea Manna.<\/p>\n