GOD’S LOVE CONQUERS ALL
Obedience to the will of God is the most essential vow that religious people profess; that is part of the homily of a priest who presided the Eucharistic celebration for my renewal of vows. I am a junior profess sister, I temporarily profess my vows and have to renew it annually. I recently renew my vow for the first time, I was filled with excitement knowing that it’s in the middle of the community quarantine, the result of the coiD-19, a Pandemic virus. I feel so important for me to have my renewal of vows with the Mass. I’ve asked God to grant it to me as a gift and he kindly granted me. Actually, I had it earlier than it should be, there are many reasons why we finally decided to have it as soon as possible. It was all simultaneously unexpected decisions but because God wanted it and so it happened. I was grateful for everything that happened even without much planning.
Before my renewal of vows I thought if it is possible for me to renew my vow with the ceremony or maybe we will just do it among the three of us in the convent without the ceremony, as I thought of it I came into a conclusion that I’m an unfortunate one, everything for me is not in the right time and always in a rush just to reach the chance. All these are happening since I entered in the convent except if I am with others. I am always curious about my fate. I have to make my Triduum in the convent because it is not possible to go out, I meditated about spirituality according to St. Ignatius of Loyola, it wasn’t hard for me to get the message for I am learning and doing it during my basic formation, I think I just need to refresh, make it better and go deeply. No matter how deep I meditate I am still thinking about the worlds’ situation right now and how fortunate I am being in a covid free place. For three days I remain quiet with the Lord and finally the day have arrived for me to renew my vows solemnly in the end of March. On that day we have some, very some witnesses; the priest Fr. Noe Lozada, the 5 members of choir, the two sacristans, my two sisters, and two lay women, so some of us but honestly I felt it more solemn and touching than on my First Profession ceremony last year. I felt that my mind, soul and heart are there with the Lord. It’s just so touching because everybody is feeling uneasy because of the Pandemic virus but what God wanted is to make it on that very day, in the midst of chaos. Although, the world is in chaos God want me to now that nothing could really separate us from the His great love. Through that reflection I have this feeling of hope welling in me. Once more about the homily of our priest, unexpectedly what he had shared are from my triduum meditations although not all mostly connected, everything were connected like he said that; to follow Christ, a follower should be fearless especially in this time of need, a follower should not afraid to follow what and where would Christ wanted us to do or go. It is part of my meditation about spirituality of surrender, living in the world full of uncertainties and as a Christian I have to believe that God is doing His part and that we have to do our part as well in accord to His will. That how my mysterious as well as grateful renewal of the vows I had for the first time, I hope that through this challenges of time will make me steadfast in following the Messiah.
By Sr. M. Emmanuella SND
