For Christianne Farrugia and Erika Spiteri, the idea of dedicating their lives to faith and service was not immediate - it emerged gradually, shaped by curiosity, reflection, and personal experiences.

Both graduates of the University of Malta, Christianne in accountancy and Erika in psychology, the two young women are now taking steps toward becoming Augustinian Sisters, a path they first began exploring about three years ago.

Christianne, 27, and Erika, 23, shared their journey in an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday.

Both of them are following their calling at the convent of the Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary in Fleur de Lys, a place where faith, formation, and community life intersect. Here, they began to experience firsthand the rhythms and commitments of religious life. After two years of Aspirancy - a stage of initial exposure to the convent's daily life and mission - and a year of Postulancy - a stage which allows them to live within the community while continuing to discern whether this life is indeed their calling, they have now started two years of Novitiate

Christianne, who completed a Master's in Accountancy, described the sense of emptiness she experienced despite academic and professional success. "There was a void that nothing could fill, even though I had everything," she said. For her, the turning point came during the World Youth Day in 2016, held in Poland. At that stage she started to perceive Jesus as a true companion on life's journey. "After my years at Junior College and University it was during my Master's degree that I began to wonder - if God is calling me, I have to leave all this behind."

Her vocational calling became clearer over time, she says, eventually leading her to leave her full-time accounting job to pursue her vocation. "I realised that God had a bigger and different plan than I had chosen for myself," she said.

During her Aspirancy and Postulancy, Christianne was able to combine her professional skills with her spiritual path, teaching accounts at St Monica School, where she found deep fulfilment in guiding children and young people: "I never imagined that I would one day work with children and young people, but nowadays it is the thing I want to do most: to be with them, and share with them what I have learned," she said.

Erika's path to the convent began with curiosity. A graduate in psychology, she recalled attending the school run by the Augustinian sisters in Gżira. "It all started with curiosity," Erika said. "I noticed the sisters' smiles, the joy they carried, and wondered how they could have so little and still be so happy." This early curiosity did not interfere with Erika's life. She went out with friends and lived a normal teenager's life. However, she began to feel a growing discontent, questioning whether the lifestyle she observed around her could truly provide fulfillment.

Over time, Erika began to draw closer to her faith, attending Centru 16+ more regularly and taking her relationship with Christ more seriously. She recounted how her priorities began to shift. As she spent more time reflecting and seeking guidance she realised that God might be calling her to something different. "I started talking to a sister who could guide me a little better, and I began to discover more and more that it was possible that God was calling me to a path different from what I imagined for myself," she explained.

For both youngsters, the decision to explore the life of a sister did not come from a rejection of normal life but from a search for deeper meaning. Christianne described her own sense of emptiness, even when life seemed full externally. "Despite having everything - a stable career, education, and opportunities - I felt that something was missing.

"God works in amazing ways. We often want things the way we want them, but when we open our hearts to what He wants, He does amazing things," she reflected.

Erika echoed this sentiment, noting that the curiosity that initially drew her to the sisters evolved into a genuine desire to serve and live in alignment with her faith. Erika also emphasised the importance of living fully as a path to spiritual fulfilment. Her background in psychology has given her insight into the human desire for purpose and meaning. "The joy we want to share with others doesn't come from what we own or achieve," she said. "It comes from living our lives to the fullest, becoming complete human beings, and using our experiences to uplift others."

The Augustinian Sisters, known for their commitment to education, evangelisation, community service, and spiritual formation, provided both women with a framework to explore this vocation. The journey towards becoming an Augustinian nun is structured and gradual. The young person starts her journey with the stage of Aspirancy. This phase is of utmost importance since the young person keeps working/studying and keeps wearing her normal attire. However, the young person starts living at the convent. This gives her direct exposure to experience the life of the sisters and offers her space and freedom to discern her calling. Postulancy, the stage both women are currently in, allows the young person to continue and to discern her vocation.

This stage involves prayer, study, service, and participation in the daily life of the convent, offering a holistic view of what religious life entails. Both Christianne and Erika emphasised that this stage has been crucial in confirming their calling and preparing them for the deeper commitments ahead. At present they are undergoing their Novitiate phase. This is a special time in which the young continue to enter deeper into their personal formation. It is a time marked with detachments of various kinds that offer the young person more space and time to enter deeper into her relationship with God and the congregation. This phase prepares the young person to take her first vows and the official habit.

In a society where career and academic success are often prioritised, choosing a path of religious life requires introspection, courage, and a willingness to pursue meaning beyond worldly achievements. Erika and Christianne's journeys show that vocation is not a sudden revelation but a process of listening, questioning, and aligning one's life with a sense of higher purpose.

Their experiences also highlight the intersection of professional skills, personal development, and spiritual life. Both women exemplify how education and faith can work in tandem to create meaningful contributions to society.

Reflecting on the future, both women expressed hope and anticipation for the journey ahead. Christianne is motivated by the opportunity to work with young people, to share both knowledge and spiritual guidance, and to contribute to the formation of future generations. Erika is inspired by the potential to live fully in service of others, bringing joy and support through her vocation.

Their stories underscore that the decision to pursue religious life is not an escape from the world but a conscious choice to engage with it differently. It is about finding fulfilment, joy, and purpose in service, and about living a life aligned with faith and values.

For young Maltese women like Christianne and Erika, the journey from curiosity to calling is deeply personal, yet it resonates with universal themes: the search for meaning, the desire to serve others, and the quest to live a life that reflects one's values and beliefs. Their experiences remind us that vocation is not merely a profession or a role but a way of life - a path that requires courage, reflection, and an openness to transformation.

As they continue their journey with the Augustinian Sisters, Christianne and Erika remain committed to exploring the fullness of their calling, guided by faith, curiosity, and the joy of serving others.