Mirian, Brazil: "Like a GPS, God is recalculating your path"

Mirian had always felt a strong desire to bring her friends closer to God: “Apostolate was something that made me extremely happy.” At 15, her life revolved around school, the formation she received at a centre of the Work, and social projects. At 20, after a trip to Rome, she decided to ask for admission as an associate. The director of the centre at the time asked her to wait, so that her decision would not be driven only by enthusiasm, but a month later she confirmed it formally.

Looking back, she has no regrets about that decision. “There was no mistake. God allowed you this time in the Work and, like a GPS, now He is recalculating your route,” a numerary told her when recalling her journey. The formation Mirian received was valuable: “It was a time of intense formation, both spiritual and human, and a lot of learning that I carry with me to this day.”

It was a time of intense formation and a lot of learning that I carry with me to this day.

As a gynaecologist and obstetrician, her vocation was put to the test. “Obviously, I was attending births all the time, which was something I had always wanted to experience.” In 2016, during her medical residency, she faced doubts: “If it has been bothering me all these years, is this really my path?” Someone in the Work advised her: “If it becomes such a heavy burden, it’s probably not God’s will.” 

For nine months, Mirian sought advice from other numeraries, thinking, “Pregnancy lasts nine months, so that’s the time God gave us to make great changes in our lives.” Finally, she decided to leave the Work.

Mirian doesn’t feel she made a mistake; rather, she sees it as a process of maturation. “I made the most of those years. They weren’t years of struggle or anything like that. In fact, they were very happy years. I was very happy in my vocation. The mistake was mine, not facing it sooner.” Her faith didn’t change after leaving the Work: “Daily Mass, the rosary... These practices, and faith itself, have never changed.” She continues her apostolate with affection and clarity, striving to be a good professional.