As a teenager, Andrea had been active in the Church of Sweden in Gothenburg, but then drifted away from the faith. She studied music in Piteå, lived in Cyprus and the Canary Islands and came to Stockholm for more music studies and wanted to work with singing, in the stage environment or musical.
– But even though I did fun things, traveled and had lots of friends, life didn’t feel meaningful.
Five years probationary period
Andrea heard about the Church of Sweden’s monastery outside Enköping, Mariadöttarna. One weekend in January 2007, she went there to think about the future and was captivated by the sisters’ shared life and their sisterly love.
Going to a monastery must not be an escape or a plan B in life, so a five-year probationary period followed. Andrea agreed to live without possessions, abstain from marriage, and use free will to obey common rules.
– What stuck with me was that the sisters felt so alive, inside and out. I met a peaceful atmosphere, where we live like a family and where no one decides so we have to get along. Our mission is about living in love and reconciliation between each other through God’s love, showing unity and spreading it further.
“Not easy for any parent”
You needed to give up possessions, thoughts of children. How easy or difficult was it?
– That was not the most important thing. In my life choice, it is not something I have cut off. I feel that my entire life force is working, that I am living in my calling, what I was created for.
What did your parents say?
– It is not easy for any parent with this life choice. But when they see that you have found your place in life, then they are happy that we are doing well.
In the clip: Hear Sister Andrea, 43, tell about when she came to the convent.