Text and Photos by Br. Ritche T. Salgado, O.Carm.
Two sisters from the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters Institute of Our Lady of Carmel perpetually professed their vows yesterday, June 14, 2020, marking their lifelong commitment to the congregation.
In a solemn and intimate celebration presided by Philippine Carmelite Prior Provincial, Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm., Sr. Roselie R. Lasala and Sr. Edna Therese Manicane professed their lifetime vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience before Sr. Freeda Aloysius, delegate of superior general Mother Maria Stella Marzano.
Sr. Roselie is from the Diocese of Sorsogon and is the youngest among the seven children of Mr. Eliseo and the late Rosita Lasala.
Sr. Edna Therese is from the Diocese of Malolos and is the eldest of the six children of Mr. Edwin and Gina Manicane.
In his homily, Fr. Rico said that they could have chosen other career paths, but they chose to say: “I am yours Jesus.”
He reminded them that the life that they have chosen has many challenges, but it also has its joys.
“The greatest challenge now is to live-out what Pope Francis said to all religious. That we should tend to the needs of the people. As shepherds, we should smell like the sheep,” he said.
“In time of this COVID 19 pandemic, we should be creative in responding to the material and spiritual needs of the people who are affected by the very difficult and challenging situation,” he added.
Here is the full text of Fr. Rico’s homily:
What will sustain you in your journey?
Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm.
Prior Provincial of the Philippine Carmelite Province
On the occasion of the perpetual profession of Sr. Rose Lasala and Sr. Edna Therese Manicane
June 14, 2020, INSC Delegate House, Dona Carmen, Quezon City
It is with profound joy that I greet all of you on this beautiful and historic day marked by the perpetual profession of vows of Sr. Roselie Lasala and Sr. Edna Therese Manicane.
These two beautiful sisters are here to publicly profess that they will live a life of chastity, poverty and obedience. They will make a solemn commitment of solely dedicating their lives to Jesus in the context of the religious community with the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters Institute of Our Lady of Carmel.
It is unfortunate that their loved ones, friends and family cannot be physically present because of the lockdown and quarantine policies due to the COVID 19 pandemic. But I am pretty sure that they are with us at this very moment in heart, mind and spirit especially those who are joining us on-line or through live-streaming.
We pray that God will strengthen them with the Spirit of perfect love. May God let them rightfully aim for a truly evangelical perfection and increase the holiness and apostolic zeal so that they may give themselves more and more to the service of God’s glory and the work of salvation.
Why are they doing these? Don’t they have any other choices or options? Look at them! Why didn’t they become actresses? I am sure they could beat such stars as Nadine Lustre, Kim Domingo, Rhian Ramos, Jessy Mendiola, Katrine Bernardo, and others.
But for them, it is a big No! Each one of them declared: “I am yours Jesus”. But those words would be meaningless unless they are expressed through the witnessing of life.
We pray that they will touch many, many lives of people not only through words but through the power of an exemplary life. This will be attained because of a deep communion with their Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
But of course, religious life is not always easy. It is not always a “bed of roses” as the song goes. There are also thorns. There are times that you have to suffer many trials. The life that you have chosen is not easy. You will be tested in many different ways. What are these? Of course there are the financial difficulties, sadness, rejection, conflicts, criticisms and others. Your faith will be tested, “like gold in a furnace.” Nevertheless, there is always a reason for joy. There is always joy in religious life.
What will sustain you in your journey? I believe the answer is found in the Gospel of Matthew, especially the text which says: “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters, mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age – houses brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions – and in the age to come eternal life.”
Actually, this biblical text also became my inspiration, especially when I was in a dilemma whether to continue with my vocation as a Carmelite. I thought I was badly needed by my family. I was consoled by the idea that God will take care of my family and loved ones. Thanks God, together with Fr. Toto Jaranilla, I celebrated my 27th year as a Carmelite last June 5.
More importantly, you will be sustained by the Holy Eucharist. As we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, Jesus is continually offering Himself as our Spiritual Food.
We have to travel many miles on this earth before we reach eternity. We must carry enough provisions in our knapsack, if not we will faint along the way. If there is something that must not be lacking, it’s the Body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, without which we would not have the strength to go on with our journey. We would die of hunger. During our journey we are seduced by the many restaurants we see on our right and on our left, tempting us and offering us very delicious fares that satisfy both our stomach and senses. But life is more than our physical hunger. We should also hunger and thirst for eternity and Heaven.
Congratulations, Sr. Rose and Sr. Edna Therese. The greatest challenge now is to live-out what Pope Francis said to all religious. That we should tend to the needs of the people. As shepherds, we should smell like the sheep. In time of this COVID 19 pandemic, we should be creative in responding to the material and spiritual needs of the people who are affected by the very difficult and challenging situation. You embraced a life of simplicity, service to the people of God and a life of prayer and contemplation. We pray that many more people will strengthen their resolve and commitment to live a life of contemplation and service with the people because of your examples. May your tribe increase.
Follow Philippine Carmelites on Facebook.