Do nuns go straight
to heaven? (Part 2)

(Last of two parts)

"WE reminisced about old times. The stronger, healthier nuns hovered around us like we were VIPs. The frail, elderly ones looked on and smiled. The three nuns in wheelchairs joined us at the courtyard but they really looked sick and frail," recalled Nancy Guevarra Narciso, class of 1965. Narciso said the facility was so congested that only cloth curtains for privacy separated the nuns' beds.

Eileen Niguidula-Redoblado, class of 1976, found her second grade teacher at the vigil house. "Sr. Saturnine, 88, now totally deaf and legally blind, walked with a cane but still needed to be helped by another old nun."

Redoblado also found her fourth grade teacher, Sister Bienvenida, who still "walked regally like a queen, despite being 86 years old." She saw Sister Claire Scott, who recognized her immediately, despite her one eye being shut. "She took care of my dad as an infant when she and my paternal grandmother were together at the home for half-Americans in Mindanao."

The alumnae who have already visited the vigil house agree that it is a moving experience that all balikbayan Paulinians should include in their itineraries. Organized visits have produced not only gift bags containing toiletries and food items but have also offered entertainment. Some Paulinians with the right connections have even brought influential people, including Sen. Nene Pimentel who reportedly donated a five-figure amount to the cause.

Mary Ann S. Miranda, class of 1975, noted that the nuns use firewood, instead of gas, for cooking to save money. She suggested that a donation of kitchen appliances might be welcome. Miranda said other things urgently needed are wheelchairs, adult diapers, and toiletries.

"I don't know how many more of the girls found old nuns they knew," wrote Redoblado. "Many of us just sat content witting with the nuns."

"The stronger nuns helped the other nuns. Talk about 'sisterhood.' The arthritic nun guiding the blind. The deaf walking with the old. The nuns were weak, old, sick, maimed. They gave us the best years of their life. And now, they are in the Vigil House happy together, enjoying their sunset years," Redoblado summed up her visit.

Nuns may end up in heaven but they retire first after a lengthy service to humanity. In the case of St. Paul nuns, this service is mainly in the fields of education and social service. Sister Mary George Siriban, my former principal at St. Paul, told me a few months ago that nuns do not have a set retirement age. "They continue to work as long as they are able to because there is just too much work in the apostolate," she said. If forced by old age or illness, they live at the vigil house to recover or to live out the rest of their lives. Those who are still strong enough create handicrafts for sale as part of their self-sufficiency program. They sell rosaries, rugs, towels and other items to help support their needs.

When they retire, they know that they have helped mankind. When they retire, they need help themselves. If you have something to contribute, please write Sr. Mary Magdalen Torres, SPC Provincial Superior, Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, P.O. Box 1065, 1870 Antipolo City, Philippines or the Paulinian Global Foundation, Inc., 2328 Deckman Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20906, USA.

Romina Saha is a fulltime mom and freelance writer and copy editor based in San Jose, California. She may be reached at ConnectionsRS@aol.com.

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Do nuns go straight
to heaven? (Part 1)