Holiness for All Cultures — with Sr. Desiré Findlay, CSSF
Season 3, Episode 6 | Originally aired on February 16, 2021
About the episode
"I wanna see all sorts of cultures achieving holiness. I don't want it to just be one culture that can be holy or that can belong, but all cultures."
As a young person Sr. Desiré Anne-Marie Findlay was fascinated by the holiness of saints, and she found herself similarly fascinated by different nuns that she would meet. While on a pilgrimage through New Mexico, she met the Felician Sisters and started to discern religious life. A series of Sr. Desiré's 'yeses' would eventually bring her to where she is today. Not only does she help other women discern their vocations, but as a Black Catholic, she is a champion for representation and the conviction that all are called to holiness, regardless of who they are and what they look like. In this episode, Sr. Desiré and I talk about her vocational discernment journey, how she praises God through her gift of dance, and why representation in the Catholic Church is needed and necessary.
Listen to the episode
Meet Sr. Desiré Anne-Marie Findlay
Sister Desiré Anne-Marie Findlay is a Felician Sister. Her community, also known as the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix, is a Franciscan community. Before entering religious life, Sr. Desiré danced for a semi-professional basketball team while she attended the University of New Mexico. It was during this time that she went on a 100-mile pilgrimage by foot and first met the Felician Sisters. After completing her Bachelor's degree in secondary education, Sr. Desiré chose to take a step in the direction she felt God was leading her and she began formation with the Felicians. After four years in formation, she moved to Southern California where she taught Theology, Spanish and Dance. Sr. Desiré now lives in Western Pennsylvania where she works closely with Catholic youth and young adults as the Vocation Director for her community. Sister has traveled to Canada, Haiti, Panama, Italy and Poland for things like World Youth Day, retreats and outreach. She has also had the opportunity to publish some written material, appear on the Tamron Hall Show, and record a video interview with America Magazine. Sr. Desiré made Final Vows in August of 2019 and looks forward to her continued adventures for the sake of God and God’s children!