Conversion story

Lucia Vanrell, Uruguay

January 1, 2002

Tags: Conversion My name is Lucia Vanrell, I’m 20, and I study biochemistry in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of the Republic of Uruguay. I come from a strongly Catholic family, but after my first Communion, as I entered into adolescence, little by little I began to drift away from God.

This went on until I met some people who, through their good example and friendship, brought me back to Christ. They pierced my armor, and after a year of inner conflict I realized that there was something special about them that made them supremely happy. I realized that this “something” fulfilled them so completely that they radiated peace and love for life and for other people. And that this “something” was unquestionably worth while… and, finally, that this “something” was God!

I began to go to Mass on Sundays, and then started going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion, and I went to Christian formational activities in Opus Dei centers.

That was when my devotion to St Josemaria began. I admired his relationship with God, which was reflected in his clarity in expressing ideas and feelings. I was fascinated by his constant efforts to improve, to please God with his tiniest and most ordinary actions. Learning about St Josemaria awoke in me a hunger for holiness, for God and for apostolate. And although anyone who knows me, knows that I have plenty of failures, I struggle every day to be a good Christian, with God’s help and through St Josemaria’s intercession.

On the personal side, knowing the Work and its founder helped me, and still does, to stay cheerful in tense or unpleasant situations (because I find meaning in sacrifice). It has created in me a spirit of service and apostolate (I really am happy!). It has made me find a much deeper meaning in my work and study – I can sanctify myself by doing them. It has taught me to appreciate my leisure, the people I love, and the things I do every day, as gifts from God. It has shown me that I have many more human failings than I thought before, and at the same time it gives me the strength to beg God not to let me fall when I get something wrong (which is nearly all the time!). And there are so many other things that it would be hard to put into words.

I know that God doesn’t need “supermen” or “superwomen” for his plans on this earth, only souls who are ready to LOVE with capital letters.

And I’ve also learnt from St Josemaria that it’s all worthwhile!