SISTER LUMEN GLORIA DUNGCA, OSB
I was only 14, a senior high school student, when my principal, Sister Mary Sylvester Marpa, OSB asked me to attend the yearly vocation retreat at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. To my surprise, I discovered that I was the only “Benjamin” among the participants. My companions were all professionals. I asked Fr. Gough, SJ, our retreat master if it was already the right time for me to enter the convent at that tender age. He replied, “Why not? St. Therese of the Child Jesus was as young as you are when she entered the convent.”
That gave me the courage to tell my father I would enter the convent right after high school. He advised me to finish college first. I did finish college and I still vividly see Sister Ildephonsa Pineda, OSB, just before graduation inquiring into my plans after college. I told her that I planned to work and pursue higher studies. Ah, I was determined not to work in any Benedictine-run school. Fifteen years of studies with them was too much for me. Enough of the Benedictine Sisters!
After two years of working, I received a card from Sister Catherine Sanchez, OSB, my Dean in College, inviting me to spend a night at the Formation House in Marikina. It was Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB, then the Vocation Directress, who had a chat with me. From that time on, my visits were not only in Marikina, but in the Benedictine stations like Manila, Bacolor, Baguio, Angeles, and San Fernando. My desire to be a sister was rekindled.
On my own, I attended the vocation retreat in Baguio, no longer a “Benjamin” in the group. I learned that during those days of my retreat, my mother was the one literally retreating from the world. She refused to eat; she refused to leave her room; she refused to talk to anyone. When I came back from the retreat, it was quiet in the house. I thought I was at the funeral parlor. My mother began wailing. She told me that she was not going to take her medicines anymore and that she would die if I entered the convent. She began to wage a cold war against any Benedictine Sister who would come and see me.
From the onset of summer 1975, I did not go home anymore. My whole family fetched me from where I finished my second course. Everyone was present except my mother. Off they brought me to the convent. Every month all were present for the regular convent visit. Month after month, year after year, not even a shadow of my mother appeared. I decided to affix her name to my religious name but to no avail. For the seven years of my formation, my mother did not visit me. She was sure that before I would pronounce my final vows, I would still change my mind and return home. I was resolute with my decision – to remain in the convent.
Twenty-nine years have passed since my entrance day. Should I leave the convent and return home, my mother would surely wail. She has seen the joys I have in the convent. Her joy is now complete.
