A Contemplative In Ireland

By Sister Mary Cynthia OCD

L-R Srs Concepcion, Rose Alice and Mary Cynthia

Years ago ‘mission’ was foreign to Filipina Discalced Carmelite nuns, since we’re contemplatives and normally stay for life in the community we join. Many Carmelite communities in Europe and the USA, because of the lack of vocations, are faced with the possibility of either closing down or joining together. To avoid that possibility, some European Carmels asked the Association of Monasteries of Discalced Carmelites in the Philippines for help. As a result of this, there are now Filipina Carmelite missionaries in France, Africa, Belgium and, most recently, in Ireland, where we are now. There are still requests from other countries.

I am one among many volunteers from different Carmelite communities in the Philippines. I applied for the mission without any country of preference. I believe that it’s God who chose Ireland for me because He knows this is where I can be at my best. Our mission differs greatly from that of other missionaries who go around and meet people through their apostolate and ministries.

The main objective of our presence in St Joseph’s Monastery, Mount Carmel, Loughrea, County Galway, is to serve as a bridge to younger Irish vocations. I feel that the most effective way to fulfil this mission is to continue my contemplative life through prayer, and love God in charity and service to my new community. The Irish nuns are very welcoming and accommodating, sensitive to our needs and make us feel very much at home, which helps us to adjust easily to their food, customs, traditions and culture. 

As I go along in my life of prayer and service, God reveals other aspects so I can understand my mission in Ireland more. Foremost, is to express the gratitude of the Filipino people for the many Irish missionaries who selflessly offered their lives and sacrifices to deepen our faith and knowledge of God through education and their witnessing in living the Christ-like life among our suffering poor Filipino people. We Filipino Carmelites are grateful to our Irish Carmelite Fathers who worked hard in their mission to form the Philippine Commissariat for our Filipino OCD friars. We nuns benefit from their service, not only in spiritual but in other things and ways in which they have helped us. I hope that our presence here lets them see and taste the fruit of the labor of their loving service to the Order and to the Church. 

Then, the presence of Filipino workers in Ireland, about 70 in Loughrea, gives another dimension to mission for me, that we will give them moral support and a sense of family to ease the pain of being away from their loved ones. This came to reality when we met them a week after our arrival and one said, ‘nakakagaan sa puso na narito kayo.’ What a consolation! We had Filipino Christmas and Easter parties with them in our big parlor (visiting room). I’m sure that God will let me see the broader spectrum of this mission in my moments of silence with Him. 

Though I am unworthy of this task, I hope and pray that what I’m doing in mission will bear everlasting fruit. It doesn’t matter if the harvest isn’t in my lifetime as long as it will be for the Kingdom of God, to whom everything is due. I give thanks to God through this mission for He is good and His love endures for ever. I think it’s about time that the Irish should reap the harvest of the seeds they planted in the many countries where they served as missionaries. The generosity of Irish priests, religious and lay people, whether in service or financial support for different causes, ranks among the best in the world. They are the living gospel of Jesus.

My thanks to the Irish nuns and priests who have visited us, who knew beforehand of our coming. Many of them spent many years as missionaries in the Philippines and they treasure our country and people, recalling the past with nostalgia. We owe them a lot. The service with pleasure of those who helped us process our papers in different government agencies is commendable. May God reward them with more to share with others.

You may contact Sister Rose-Alice at rosealicee@yahoo.co.uk .