“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad”.
On July 11, 2024, I made my Perpetual Profession at Divine Mercy Parish, Sinawilan Hills, Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines, and accepted by Sr. Purisima L. Tañedo. Some sisters were present for the occasion: Sr. Vilana Laluan, Sr. Teresita Sosa, Sr. Amparo Hilot, Sr. Saturnina Caccam and Sr. Junlyn Maragañas; some representatives of the Pauline Family from the Archdiocese of Davao (SSP, PDDM), Rev. Fr. Emy John A. Domingo – Parish Priest of San Roque Parish, Banna, Ilocos Norte, Diocese of Laoag, different Religious Congregations from the Diocese of Digos (OSB, RVM, ADM, Camilian Sisters, WCW, Augustinians of the Assumptions and seminarians); my family, relatives and friends, my teachers, professors, former co-teachers and students, classmates.
Rev. Fr. Jay Hector J. Lituañas, A.A. presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. In his homily, he said that the religious sister, gives up her right to all worldly possessions by the vow of poverty, surrenders her body and her senses by the vow of chastity; and by obedience, however, she makes a gift of her entire self to God! Professing these vows with finality is not without challenges. However, in the midst of these challenges, our Lord Jesus presents Himself as our greatest example. In our religious consecration, Jesus must be the center of our lives. It enables us to bring people to God, for us to honor and serve God, and to share with them God’s loving and merciful presence. Fr. Jay, ended his homily with these words from Blessed James Alberione: “To be real Pastorelle Sisters you have always to acquire a little better the goodness of Jesus Good Shepherd. You have to exert efforts to achieve this… your heart must be kneaded in goodness, a goodness like that of Jesus, that goes to extremes” (PPVIII 237).
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant”. I thank the Lord for all that has been in my journey especially for all the trials, sufferings, difficulties and challenges because through these I was able to experience the unconditional love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the many times that I did not understand and I did not know what to do especially when confronted with the reality of death when my mother was very sick and it seemed that her earthly life has come to its end. It was an invitation for me to remain in Him, to learn how to entrust everything into the hands of the Good Shepherd who is always ready to give His life as a ransom for many. I am blessed for I have Jesus Good Shepherd who walked with me all throughout my journey, who loved me for who I am, who accepted me for what I have, and who forgave me for what I have done wrong against my brothers and sisters. I am not worthy of His love and mercy nor his forgiveness and compassion however, God is so good, He is gracious, compassionate and merciful. Thus, He made me worthy of his call. God is faithful to His promise that he will always be with me until the end of time. Truly, nothing is impossible with God.
After the Eucharistic Celebration, there was a short presentation about our Congregation as well as a short video of my journey then followed by the agape.
Indeed, everything is grace!
Sr Sheila Mae M. Estremos, sjbp
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