MY VOCATION STORY: SR. M. OFELIA ENDAYA, RGS
THE SPARROW COMES HOME…This is how I described myself after saying “YES” to God for I did not know where to land during my five years of searching after college graduation. There was the approved teaching position at Detroit, Michigan, a happy teaching career at St. Scholastica’s College Grade School, happy relationships with friends and family.
I supposed the early beginning of my vocation was from home. My mother taught us to have compassion on any beggar. My First Communion was very memorable. I was so excited to receive Him for the first time. As a little child I used to pray for the conversion of a loved one. In high school, during summers we were part of the catechetical program of the parish. Sharing the seed of faith contributed to the awakening of the seed of vocation.
In 1968, Miss Lourdes Villegas invited me to join her for a purposeful summer in Buhi, Camarines Sur with the Good Shepherd Sisters. There, they rescued girls who were called “salagubang” because of too much green eye shadow. I was shocked to know that they were sold sometimes by their own fathers to white slavery. The Sisters displayed their care and concern for these girls. My exposure warmed up my heart.
When I came back to Manila, I chose to two spiritual directors Fr. Cornelius Hulsbosch of La Salle and Fr. William Hayes, SJ. They helped me tame my soul so I could respond to the “something incomplete” in my life. Finally on December 8th I went to see the aspirant mistress, Sr. Mary Frances Therese Sunga.
Any new beginning was difficult – leaving everything behind; but I believed God chose me, I did not choose Him/Her. For my aspirancy, I was missioned to Cebu. While there, I danced at the Sto. Nino Cathedral during their fiesta not to ask for a baby but to be accepted to the Good Shepherd Congregation. After two month we were accepted and so I went back to thank the Lord for having heard my heart’s desire. Mother Foundress heard my prayer for it was on her birthday that she welcomed me to her fold!
This was the beginning of being formally at Home! It is living in community to be instruments of reconciliation to whom we are sent. It is the consciousness to bring “souls to Jesus” in each ministry. It is being the “listening parent” to a severe behavior handicap girl, “the supporting mother” to a single mother at the delivery table, “the patient teacher” to slow learner, “the supervisor” to CCF children, or just being there when somebody needs you. It is being there when there is call for justice and peace or for any race to bring the spirit of welcome, understanding, kindness, and loving service. I feel so privileged and unworthy to be the object of God’s love.
Home is becoming one’s commitment each day. Nobody says it is that easy, but the assurance of His grace makes life beautiful. Living community is like a diamond being chiseled everyday so its luster and light could shine. It is having the heart of God, accepting each person in their uniqueness and preciousness; till finally reaching our Real Home: God Himself!
Sr Ophelia now stays at the Maria Droste Wellness Center where she is cared for. From the active ministry, she is now ministering through her prayer and presence. She marked her Golden Jubilee of Profession last April 2024.
