ATLANTA--Susana Trejo Elizalde of Hidalgo, Mexico, was a postulant with the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in the Archdiocese of Atlanta before returning to Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico in July to begin two years in the novitiate.

Elizalde, 26, came to Dalton from Mexico in 1996. In May 1997 she met Franciscan Mother Superior Martha Herrera and other sisters from the Franciscan order at an archdiocesan Experiencia Cristo retreat where she gained initial interest in entering the order. As a postulant she assisted Sister Herrera at St. Mark’s Church, Clarkesville, in 1997-98 where she worked with children and youth.

In Mexico Elizalde studied agricultural engineering at the University of Chapingo in Texcoco and participated in the Catholic University Group.

The postulant said that she discovered the joy of faith which she had been searching for during her studies and that the most difficult aspect of her spiritual journey has been in recognizing her mistakes and weaknesses and in trying to overcome them while developing humility.

Lacking family support, Elizalde is grateful for the spiritual support and other assistance she received from Father Dan Stack, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, Dalton.

She said she was drawn to the Franciscan sisters’ focus on the spirituality of St. Francis, who practiced humility, charity, sacrifice and self-denial.