Sister Miriam James Heidland, a former Division I volleyball player, is a sister of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.
Q: Do you still get the chance to play volleyball?
A: Every now and then, yeah. When I lived in Seattle, I played in an adult league which was a lot of fun, but it hasn’t been in a while. But I love sports so I do play when I can get the chance, yeah.
Q: Was there a moment when you knew you needed to discern consecrated life?
A: I had a very extraordinary conversion, and I had a very extraordinary call and I after I graduated from college, the priests that had mentored me for many years said, ‘Why don’t you just come down to our mission to see?’ I just spent some time healing, because my life was a train wreck. And it was there in the silence that I just heard Jesus Christ call me. I had a moment when I was sitting in his office. I will never forget it and this ray of grace just pierced my soul, and I knew in an instant.
Q: What spiritual readings do you recommend for young people beginning to discern their vocation?
A: “To Save a Thousand Souls.” I think a lot of times that what the heart is really aching for is this area of surrender. So many times when you’re having a hard time, someone like St. Thérese or Jaques Philippe, like even “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” is good. Sometimes our interior looks so tumultuous we can’t even think. So if we can spend some time with spiritual masters like that, our hearts can be calmed, and we can hear the voice of God. Then our hearts will open.
Q: How does it feel to walk down a city street wearing your habit?
A: I certainly don’t go out very much on my own anymore. And I have all kinds of experiences. I mean, I love bringing it up. It’s a visible sign of my inner commitment and it’s a sign that I belong to Jesus and I am His. And so I’m for the Church. So most people are amazing. They’re wonderful, they’ll have conversations and will tell me their deepest secrets. They’ll ask for prayer. And some will say really awkward things. It’s never a dull moment. You never go out unnoticed ever again.
Q: When you were little, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to work for ESPN, or I wanted to be CEO of a company.
Compiled by Elizabeth Bachmann, features editor.
