I am pretty sure the Lord chose me, it was not I who chose him. He picked me more than twenty five years ago. From that time, each day for me became a celebration of life. I am full of praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty for the gift, the opportunity to serve Him. I consider it a great privilege to work in His vineyard.
I am a teacher by profession and a catechist by vocation, after I followed the call of the Lord. The call brought me closer to the Eucharist. But then the UPV brought me much, much closer to Jesus in the Eucharist. I grew more intimate with Jesus, the bread of my life, the Lord of the Harvest, the source of my strength and wisdom. Our relationship now is very, very personal. Now, it is clearer to me – the death of my husband one year ago is compensated by my relationship with Him as I let go of Elmer in my personal retreat with Sr Marissa, just 25 days after his death. That day was my birthday, my first birthday without my brother-husband. But it was a special day! The Lord has His own plan for me. It was the start of a new episode in my life. From that time I became a prayer warrior of the Lord of the Harvest as a UPV member from Marikina, Philippines. Belonging to this association has also strengthened my mission as a catechist of the Diocese of Antipolo.
Our group regularly assembles around the Blessed Sacrament in the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina, in the unholy hour of the day, from one to two o’clock in the afternoon every Wednesday. The Eucharistic Adoration has made us become closer to one another as one community of disciples and more so with Jesus. Most of us are regular Mass goers. The Eucharist binds us together. Moreover, it is in the celebration of the Eucharist that I feel the presence of my dear husband the most. When he was still alive, we were always together when attending Sunday masses.
May the Lord bless His humble servant with the needed health, strength, wisdom and zeal to continue the mission entrusted to His sinful and weak handmaid. May God bless us all.
Ate Mely Santos
Daughters of Divine Zeal Vocations 