Joy and trust in God: A nun’s “secret” of faithfulness

What does it take reach a Golden Jubilee in religious life?

A joyful disposition despite the odds and total abandonment in God’s hands are what Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, DD, surmised as Madre Maya’s “secret” in faithfully following the Lord for 50 years as a Capuchin sister of St. Claire.

Mother Maria de la Cruz M. Maya, or “Madre Maya” to her close friends, presently the Mother Superior of the Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias, celebrated the 50th anniversary of her religious profession, December 12, through a dinner for a cause held at Mergrande Ocean Resort, Bago Aplaya this city.

Attended by hundreds of friends and benefactors, religious sisters, including Madre Maya’s sister and brother-in-law, the event, which was made special by the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, began with a Eucharistic celebration presided by the Archbishop of Davao, together with Archbishop-Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, DD and some diocesan and religious priests concelebrating.

In his homily, Archbishop Valles noted that Madre Maya’s Golden Jubilee falls within the CBCP-declared Year of Priests and Consecrated Persons, which had just commenced in November.

The archbishop also highlighted how Madre Maya maintained a joyful attitude despite the many trials she encountered in establishing the Capuchin sisters in the Archdiocese.

The new CBCP president emphasized that the task that the Mexican sister boldly began in Davao could not have flourished without “the power of the Most High”.

“Like Mary in the Annunciation, Madre Maya could have also asked ‘How can this be…?’ And the answer could also be the same: “…the power of the Most High will overshadow you…”, the archbishop said.

“The benefactors and many friends may have contributed a lot; but it was ‘the power of the Most High’ who accomplished it all, of course, through the total abandonment of Madre Maya in God’s hands”, he added.

In 1962, Madre Maya entered the convent in Mexico at the age of 14. At 19, she already made her perpetual profession of vows on December 12, 1967.

Together with four other sisters, she came to the Philippines on December 22, 1979 and established a convent in Batangas.

In 2003, Madre Maya came to Davao to establish another convent and live a religious life together with newly found vocations.

Warmly welcomed by then Archbishop of Davao, Fernando R. Capalla, the Capuchin sisters were housed in the property of Ernie and Mercy Evangelista, along Tulip drive.

After having acquired a lot in the Skyline area, the sisters were able to construct a monastery with the help of numerous benefactors and friends.

The dinner, sponsored by the Evangelista family and other generous benefactors, was capped by songs and dances rendered by some singing priests of Davao, Mr. Martino Aldepolla and the Siningtala Dance Company of St. John Paul II College of Davao.

The Capuchin sisters also rendered a heart-warming performance that ended the night with a bang.

The proceeds of the said benefit dinner will be used for the construction of the chapel of the Monasterio de Sta. Clara, at the Pag-ibig Heights, Catalunan Grande.