In her teenage, Saint Rafqa's desire was to live in religious seclusion, away from the world, completely devoted to the Lord. She wanted to find Christ. Her own words in 1912 witnessed her burning fervor:”I wanted to make a noble use of my life, I wanted to give Christ all my heart, He alone is bigger than my heart”.
The question of her future and destiny was imminent and it was worrying her. She confided to her spiritual father, the priest Youssef Gemayel, asking him:”What should I do to get in contact with the living God?”
Father Youssef knew pretty well that Boutrossiyé had a genuine divine call, he also knew that this call was her ultimate desire, and he had a good feeling about it, for he knew well that the young girl had observed strictly the commandments of the Lord. She wanted to be faithful to her heart, she was totally pure. Her conscience was perfectly clean and she never failed in any of her religious duties.
The Priest Gemayel was delighted to discover this elected soul. His thoughts were constantly with her pure creature which had the perfume of sanctity. He considered her to be a consolation from Christ and he did not hesitate to advise Boutrossiyé to join a feminine congregation which takes care of the education of young ladies.
Young Boutrossiyé understood him well, her heart was overwhelmed with joy. She was now hearing the Call better, and it was becoming even better, day after day. She remained under the watchful eyes of father Gemayel.
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| The Town of Bikfaya |
The Christ represented for her an ideal with an incomparable beauty, he showed her the radiant horizon and enlightened for her the way towards monastic life. She joined the monastery of the Mariamites in Bikfaya.
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