A Journey Toward God’s Goodness

Sister Gillian Wallace, SNDdeN professes perpetual vows

BY SUSAN DENNIN, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

For Sister Gillian Wallace, SNDdeN, the path to professing her final vows with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur has been anything but conventional. From the halls of Notre Dame High School in Belmont, California, to the classrooms of Cambridge University and now to her ministry as an educator at Notre Dame High School in San Jose, her story is one of curiosity, courage and deep faith.

“I actually first met the Sisters of Notre Dame as a high school student,” Sister Gillian recalls. “There was one Sister at the school, the principal, and as any student knows, you try to stay out of the principal’s office! So, my vocation didn’t begin there.”

She says her early sense of call was to the priesthood— something unavailable to women in the Roman Catholic Church. “But Jesus came knocking again,” she continues, “this time in my early thirties, while I was living in England.”

After earning her Ph.D. in environmental archeology from Cambridge, she began a career in anthropology and university administration. While it provided meaningful work, the experience left her yearning for spiritual depth and community. “I was helping people at work, but then I’d come home and there was no backup, no shared life,” she reflects.

Her path led her back to California, where she worked at Notre Dame de Namur University and again encountered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. “When I met the Sisters of Notre Dame at Notre Dame de Namur University, I thought, Wait a minute—these amazing women have what I’ve been seeking all along,” she said.

The Sisters’ commitment to education, social justice and the formation of community resonated deeply with Sister Gillian. Her decision to explore religious life grew from that encounter. “Everything came together—their joy, their intellect, their community and that deep desire to make known God’s goodness,” she says. “It just fit.”

The legacy of Saint Julie Billiart and Françoise Blin de Bourdon, foundresses of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, inspires Sister Gillian deeply. “They were mavericks,” she explains. “They broke boundaries to educate poor children, especially girls. Their courage and friendship remind me that goodness knows no class or border. It’s on us to make that goodness known today.”

Her own vocation as an educator has flourished within that mission. Sister Gillian now teaches religious studies at Notre Dame High School in San Jose. “I used to think teaching high school would be terrifying—30 teenagers in one room!” she laughs. “But it’s actually a joy. These young women are brilliant, engaged and full of heart. And I get to help them explore where faith meets life.”

And that joy radiates from Sister Gillian as she looks to humor—with an ever-present smile—to connect with those around her. She says her vows have transformed her teaching and her relationships. “I’ve always wanted to help people,” she says with happiness. “When I say I’m here for you—that’s literally what my life means now.”

Like many Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Gillian values the congregation’s global perspective. During her preparation for perpetual vows, she spent time in Namur, Belgium, with Sisters from across the world. “We were so different, hailing from Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, the U.S., and yet we were completely one in spirit,” she says. “We listened, learned from one another and remembered that our hearts are as wide as the world.”

For Sister Gillian, religious life is not a restriction but a widening of possibilities. “I’ve always been happiest living in community—sharing life, prayer, laughter and purpose,” she says. “Professing my final vows is about saying yes, fully and forever, to God’s goodness.”

The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, she explains, are not limitations but sources of freedom. Poverty is about shared resources and care for creation; chastity allows her to love widely; and obedience becomes an exercise in listening to God and the wisdom of her community.

Looking back over her journey of faith, Sister Gillian recognizes God’s hand guiding her choices—from her academic pursuits to her ministry. Her journey affirms that faith, humor (and an occasional giggle) and community are essential companions in life.

“Through the years of discerning… I’ve learned it’s about cultivating love, acceptance and peace globally. It’s no longer about ‘I,’ it’s about ‘we.’ Living and working with like-minded people allows you to make a real difference collectively,” Sister Gillian shared.

A HABIT OF GLOBAL SISTERHOOD

BY SISTER GILLIAN WALLACE, SNDdeN

During my two-month stay in Namur, Belgium, I admired the beautiful fabric of the Nigerian Sisters’ habits. I mentioned this to Sister Astrid, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is currently missioned in Kenya. Weeks later, to my amazement, she handed me a packet of Nigerian habit material that journeyed from Africa to Belgium. Even the pattern, cut to my measurements, traveled across continents before it finally reached my hands. When I struggled to find someone to sew the habit, I prayed for help. That prayer was answered through a generous couple from Colombia, who lovingly crafted the garment. Their immigrant story echoes my own family’s journey, making the gift even more meaningful. This habit, carried across the world and stitched with care, is more than a garment—it is a symbol of God’s goodness and of the global Sisterhood that binds our hearts together.

Sister Gillian’s story appears in the upcoming Winter 2025 edition of Sowing Goodness, where you can also read about this year’s inspiring Jubilarians. You can catch up with previous issues of Sowing Goodness here.