NOT PART OF MY LIFE-PLAN

Entering  the convent, much less, being a nun was not part of my life-plan. I knew I wanted to do something worthwhile, something meaningful, and start this out by the time I was twenty-five. A chance meeting with a Benedictine sister  changed all that.

In my early twenties I perfectly happy and content with my life. I had a good paying job in one of the prime districts of Manila. I had an active social life, and my relationship with my family  members, though they were in the province, was going well.

One week-end, I found myself stranded in a bus terminal on my way to Bacolor, Pampanga. I was asked to be “ ninang ” (godmother) to one of my cousin’s daughters.  My companion and I had been at the terminal since 1 PM. It was already almost 5 PM and we still had not caught the bus. Just when I was about to give up the futile exercise, a Sister walked in. Amidst the heat, the noise and the chaos typical of bus terminals, it struck me that this Sister wore a radiant smile on her face. She seemed to exude much energy  and confidence. One look at her and I knew  she would be just the right person to ask. I approached and asked which bus goes to  Bacolor. It turned out  she was going to the same place. What luck ! She assured me that the next bus coming was “our bus ” and that we’d be there just after dark. A bit cynical, but helpless anyway, I decided to stick with her. A few minutes later, I found my companion and I seated comfortably on the bus en route to  Bacolor. ( Hmm…. Malakas yata kay God  ang mga madre)