MY VOCATION STORY: SR. M. BASILIDES SUPERABLE, RGS
Knock! Knock….!? Who’s There !?!
I never dreamed of becoming a Sister or belonging to any religious institution. As a child I dreamed of becoming an office girl wearing high heeled shoes with a should bag and if possible driving my own car. I wanted to live independently. But as I graduated from high school, my parents asked me to take Education instead. At that time becoming a teacher was so noble a profession (though I guess until now it still is). So I heeded my parents’ wish and bade goodbye to my dreams.
When I finished college and was already teaching, I started to think of my life ahead. “What do I want to do with my life?” was the question I oftentimes asked myself. At the same time I was busy responding to the needs of my students. But I never though of becoming a Sister though the idea had suddenly popped in my mind when I befriended a Diocesan Sister. I had started to think of giving myself to God and had started to become aware of others’ needs especially to those of my students. The idea of being in the convent and having a family of my own began to wrestle. I wanted to be sure of my future so I began to ask signs from God. One of those was when I was taking my licensure exam. I wrote my conditions in my journal that if ever I could pass the exam, then I’ll take it as sign that indeed He wanted me to enter, if not, then I am not for it. But behold, when the result was released I found my name in those who had made it. I was enveloped with joy and was ecstatic when I remembered my promise to God. The taste of that little victory wanted to change the direction I had already agreed with Him. I wanted to get out from my promise by convincing God that I was just kidding. That I didn’t mean to enter the convent. But as the days passed by, the glitters of that little victory had started to fade away while searching for real meaning in life had started to emerge. Then I began searching until I met Srs. Terry Danganan and Edna Fuentes who guided me in my discernment. I don’t know what my family must have thought when they learned I’m giving up everything just to enter the convent. But they had varied reactions. Only my eldest sister seemed to understand me for she never withdrew her support.
Vocation is a mystery and so is a call. But now I understood why I took education instead. It awakened something in me that led to greater service and to its core which is loving.
Becoming a Good Shepherd Sister is a privilege and a responsibility. When I said “yes” to God, I just didn’t say “yes” I am not kidding, but I also say yes to His invitation to be healed, to become whole and to be loved and most of , I said “yes” to His invitation to share and to spread His love to those who are least loved.
Sr Daisy celebrated her Silver Jubilee of Profession last April 24, 2024. She is now missioned in Welcome House in Paco, Manila, one of the community-based programs of the NCR Consolidated Ministry for Women and Children.
