NEW ORLEANS — In the United States today, fewer than 1% of Catholic nuns are 30 years old or younger. Among these unique individuals are Seyram Adzokpa and Zoey Stapleton, two young women who have chosen the path of religious life and are beginning their journey to become nuns. Their stories reflect the deep spiritual calling they feel and the challenges they faced along the way.
Sister Seyram Mary Adzokpa’s journey began unexpectedly during a visit to a Walmart in Texas at the age of 25, accompanied by her mother. Originally from Ghana, Adzokpa had never met a nun before, and while her family regularly attended Mass, she was unaware of the religious life. She envisioned her future in a more conventional manner, dreaming of a husband resembling her father and planning names for her future daughters.
However, after eleven years in the United States, everything changed when she saw two Dominican sisters in the store. The image of their perfectly pressed habits left a profound impact on her. “I can’t explain what it felt like — but it was a pull,” she shared. The turning point for Adzokpa came during the COVID-19 pandemic. As she worked as a nurse on the front lines, fear loomed large, yet so did her desire for a connection to God.
Encouraged by her spiritual director, Adzokpa began to explore her calling by humorously “dating” Jesus. This imaginative companionship involved her setting the table for two and selecting films to enjoy together. One fateful evening, she discovered a movie about Henriette DeLille, a founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans. Inspired, she officially joined the community in late September 2021 at the age of 27.
Breaking the news to her immigrant family was daunting; she worried about disappointing them as they had moved to America for better opportunities. “They made this trip for us,” she reminded herself. Surprisingly, her family’s support was overwhelming, and she felt immense gratitude. Now, three years into her new life, she has taken temporary vows and uses her nursing background to assist elderly sisters in the community.
Similarly, 24-year-old Zoey Stapleton faced the emotional challenge of leaving her close-knit family as she embraced her call to religious life. Growing up as an only child near Hershey, Pennsylvania, Stapleton had established a largely inseparable bond with her parents, which made her journey into the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother, a significant transition.
After completing her educational journey in clinical psychology and mental health counseling, she took a moment to cherish the last summer before entering her new chapter. On a July evening, the kitchen was filled with warmth as she cooked with her mother, Peggy, reminiscing about their family traditions and preparing for one last vacation before her entry into the convent.
While Stapleton’s decision to embrace a religious life was somewhat anticipated by her parents, their acceptance was not an immediate process. Peggy recalled the emotional discussions they had, expressing dismay over the change this would bring. Yet, with time, they found solace in the knowledge that their daughter was responding to a divine calling. “What can be better than Jesus, God asking your daughter to be so close to him?” Peggy eventually said, finding peace in the decision.
In early August, Stapleton became a postulant in her order. As she waved goodbye to her parents from the steps of the motherhouse, the connection they shared remained evident. Just months later, her parents attended Mass where they sat in the chapel, feeling proud and supporting her as she pursued her spiritual journey.