Living Life from Religious to Totally Outrageous [12 Dec 08]

“I will espouse you to me forever…I will espouse you to me in stead fast love” - Hos 2:16 ff

As the Catholic world celebrates the Feast of your Lady of Guadalupe, this day also marks the most important day of our friend’s religious life. Today is the day when SOLT Sister Maria Gabriela together with SOLT Sister Mary Elizabeth Anne made their final solemn vows to live life in poverty, chastity and obedience in the service of the Lord in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death they do part.

The perpetual profession on vow started at 10:00 am of 12 December 2008 held at the Lundayan Chapel of Trinitas Home of Contemplation in Bonga, Bacacay, Albay presided by Rev. Fr. Rogel B. Rosalinas. The activity was attended by priests, nuns and novices coming from the different diocese and countries of the SOLT congregations. Families, relatives, friends, schoolmates and church workers likewise attended the celebration to witness the espousal ceremony.

On my part, this is the very first time that I have attended and witnessed such solemn ceremony even though we have one nun in my maternal’s bloodline. The entire proceeding was so touching and Sister Gabi really moved my eyes close to tears while she was delivering her composed commitment prayer to the Lord and acknowledging the divine interventions she got before finally professing her undying love and devotion to the Father. It was really a divine moment and I’m thankful that I’ve been there.

As the night sets in, me and my busy buddies took a break from chasing the deadlines of paper reports in our respective Offices and proceeded to Albay Astrodome for a night of fun and enjoyment in the company of the Philippine’s pride, “Men of the 80’s” Concert [Gino Padilla, Raymond Lauchengco, Louie Heredia and Randy Santiago]. The venue wasn’t totally filled because of the freaky weather we had the entire day. It was raining hard every now and then on daytime and the wind was furiously blowing. Over-all though, we really had a blast especially on the latter part of the concert when the performers invited the audience to come and join them dancing on stage. Too bad we’re on the upper box or else, you can check my swaying butt up there. We were contented dancing in our location and Randy never fails to acknowledge our part of the crowd as the loudest and most active participants.