January 6, 2026
My name is Julia, and I received the call to serve as a missionary. I desired a mission where I could live out my faith life, having access to daily mass, prayer, and adoration, but also being able to serve others in a profound way. I went on a retreat with the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, and explained my desire to them, without being familiar with Stella Missions. The sisters invited me to serve on mission in Uruguay, where I could pray, serve, and continue learning and speaking Spanish. I did not know what this would entail, so I placed all my trust in Jesus, and He is using me in ways I never imagined.
I have truly been so blessed serving as a missionary in Uruguay. Being able to spend so much time with the sisters in prayer and work, while also serving the community has been a routine that I have grown to love and gives me a sense of peace I have not felt before. I am in constant awe of how the Lord draws me closer to Him in prayer, while also drawing me to share Him and His love with the community. My mission relies on prayer and the time I spend with Jesus. A friend I made here once told me, a Catholic who does not pray is like a set of lungs without air. The more I pray, the more I desire and crave that time with Jesus, and serving on mission with Stella Missions has given me the opportunity to do so.
Each mission I serve is such a blessing, and I love the variety of missions I have. From the poor and unhoused, to kids in school, to people with disabilities, to retired priests, to hospice guests, to the elderly, I have been able to learn from so many different people and different walks of life. People all around us need to be cared for and listened to, and this is one of the biggest ways the Lord has used me during this mission. I learn about the people around me and share the love of Christ through listening to their stories and lives, while also bringing their prayer intentions to the feet of Jesus. Many times, one is not looking for someone else to fix their life for them, but for someone to pay attention to how they are doing, and how they are feeling. People want to feel loved and connected. God has blessed me with the opportunity of seeing some of this fruit as well, which is such a gift.
This mission has borne fruit in my life and the lives of others, and I cannot put into words how thankful I am for this time of mission. If the Lord has called you to serve Him in a profound way, I highly recommend discerning a mission with Stella Missions!
