Benedictines’ Precious Stones

Platinum Jubilee of Sr. Mary Gemma Bering, Sr. Mary Judy Maraya, Diamond Jubilee of Ulas, Priory, Golden Jubilee of Sr. Mary Gregory Espadera and Silver Jubilee of Sr. Mary Abigail Eliot and Sr. Ma. Isabelle Domingo.

We must be wondering why the years of our lives are measured by precious metals or stones: Platinum, Diamond, Gold and Silver. Platinum, Diamond, Gold and silver are not just stones to measure the length of years one has as they are also used to measure one’s FIDELITY.

Sr. Mary Gemma Bering, OSB

Seventy years ago, in 1953, Lucia Antioca Bering from the Archdiocese of Cebu made a decision to enter the Abbey in Vigan despite all the oppositions of her brother who stood as her father when her parents died. At first she escaped and entered the Carmelite Monastery in Iloilo. But her brother who had been looking for her was able to locate where she was and forced her to leave the monastery to finish her studies. After her studies no one could prevent her from entering the abbey in Vigan. She was given the name Sr. Mary Gemma Bering, OSB . Like her patron saint, she had to climb high and rocky mountains and cross wide and deep rivers in her life. As a young nun she was always assigned to take care of the sick people in the neighborhood and bring them to the hospital. Her connection with the hospitals, doctors and PCSO in Manila would allow the people to have the best medical attention without spending a single centavo.

Sr. Mary Gemma Bering, OSB

In the same year a petite lady in pink, Lucy Maraya from Alangalang , Leyte Archdiocese of Palo found herself knocking at Abbey in Vigan after a seemingly endless bus ride. During her investiture, she received the name Sr. Mary Thecla, the name she has not learned to love even if St. Thecla is a great saint. When the Sisters became independent from the nuns, her first request was to change her name into Sr. Mary Judy Maraya, OSB and her heart was filled with delight when it was granted. A seamstress, and a shoemaker in her young age, she saw to it that the sisters looked neat and elegant with their habits paired with sandals recycled from good year and firestone tires. Her prowess in gardening and cooking makes everyone in the community happy.

Sixty years ago , was the birth of the Benedictines of the Eucharistic King in Mindanao. Sixty years is just a week-end to the coconuts around, but for us Benedictines it is 4 generations of blessings from the Lord because of the many vocations coming from this Island and because you my dear brothers and sisters are having a synodal walk with us.

Sr. Mary Gregory

Fifty years ago , Elisa Espadera, a flambouyant lady in blue from Amas, Kidapawan Diocese of Kidapawan opted to leave behind a lucrative job at DAMOSA to enter the Abbey in Vigan to the surprise of her officemates. During her investiture, she was given the name Sr. Mary Gregory to perpetuate the name and legacy of her mother Gregoria. The superiors must have discovered her prowess in having a clean, systematic, accounting and recording that she was assigned as treasurer of the community. However, this was interspersed with pastoral work both in the Diocese and in different parishes coordinating the catechetical ministry. A community jester, Sr. Gregory has a very special gift of making the community laugh to the full with her jokes.

Sr. Mary Abigail

Born on January 9, 1972 to Pedro and Lorenza Eliot of Mainit, Surigao del Norte, the young Janice , the 2nd of the 6 children , inherited the profession of her mother and enjoyed her teaching stint in the public school until she decided to respond to a persistent call by entering here in Ulas Priory in 1995. During her investiture she received the name Sr. Mary Abigail which she accepted with graciousness. Twenty five years ago , in 1998, she made the first profession of her vows here in this chapel. Zamboanga, San Beda Alabang and Cubao where she was the senior and Secretary General of the Congregation in the past administration were her assignments which she did with much care. At present she is the National Moderator of the BSEK Oblates, the post she held since the past Administration and a faculty member of St. Benedict College of Northern Luzon. Her special studies in Social Communication has been her arm in moderating the publication of VOCASTI ME and ECHOES, our Congregational Newsletter.

Sr. Ma. Isabelle

Fifty one years ago, on May 30, 1972, the couple Anecito and Criseta Domingo of Dolo, Bansalan, Davao del Sur welcomed with joy the 5th of their 10 children and baptized her Lea in honor of St. Leo the Great. Her longing for silence and contemplation made her decide to enter in 1994 and received the name Sr. Ma. Isabelle. However, there was a point when she wanted to see monastic life from afar so she distantiated herself for quite sometime and left only to find out that an inner force drew her back to re- enter in 1998 and made the first profession of her vows in the same year. As a young junior she found meaning with her stint in our mission in Israel where she was privileged to walk where Jesus walked.

Armed with her profession as a teacher, she easily felt at home with the catechetical ministry in Digos and in Ipil and the Biblical ministry in Zamboanga. At present she is the General Secretary of the Congregation and moderator of Oblates of Cubao Chapter. Recording minutes, Booking tickets for Sisters, preparing travels, following up of papers for the Congregation, running errands for documents are among her daily duties which she always converts into a ministry.

Sr. Gemma,Sr. Judy, Ulas Priory Sisters , Sr. Gregory, Sr. Abigail and Sr. Isabelle, because of your fidelity, you are here with us today. You have kept your “ground” where platinum, diamond, gold and silver are found. (Mo. Cecile A. Lanas, OSB | Photos by Brenda P. Milan)