Alumni Visit to the Nuns 2008

Alumni visit to the RVM sisters 2008

My cherished apostolate to the RVM nuns continues….

Last February 23 in the afternoon, Joshua and I went to visit the sisters of the St. Joseph Infirmary inside the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Convent compound in N. Domingo, San Juan.

Many years ago, the visit took place every year during one of the early pre-Christmas weekends of December; it was eventually moved to January. Last year, it was moved to February 3, making it somewhat of a pre-Valentine activity. This year it now has become a post-Valentine activity. Historically speaking, the visit according to Dean Gloria Santos had already been going on since the years following the Second World War. Since then, it has become a much anticipated and enjoyable alumni tradition.

Fellow St. Mary’s College (SMC) alumni Nerisse Aquino-Jose (High School 1976) and I (Grade School 1980) have as far as I can remember always been tapped to host the program during this wonderful visit. This year was no exception.

Joshua and I with members of SMC H.S. Batch’82

Celebrating jubilarians of the previous year’s grand alumni homecoming come to sponsor the event which likely turns out as their last major activity during their term of service among the Alumni Foundation’s various endeavors. This year’s sponsors were from SMC High School Batch 1982 led by their Batch leader Meiose Tan-Cristobal. To put a little perspective, these ladies were in second year high school when I was a sixth grader in St Mary’s.

With various SMCAF officers and Batch ’82 alumni

As expected, the visit proved to be a pleasing act of service and love to nuns who have for the most part of their lives offered themselves to God and his work. For a number of these servants of the Lord, the infirmary – well…as one would put it, serves as their “pre-departure area” to Heaven. I‘d like to believe that the joy we bring to these “traveling” sisters makes their last moments memorable and all the more worthwhile.

The visit also gives me the chance to touch base with old alumni friends from various batches and meet new ones in the process. This year, I was able to meet a school bus mate from the past. Irene Nadres (her maiden name) probably didn’t recognize me at first but as I brought to mind about our common school bus days, she remembered me as well. Now also married, she remains the fair and friendly person I remember her to be.

Bringing joy to God’s servants is such a joyful mission

As always, the visit ends with an unpretentious (but very satisfying I assure you!) dinner, a combination of food brought by the alumni and the sisters’ own supper meal. This year it was a combination of arroz caldo (congee with chicken), lumpiang ubod (fresh spring roll), relyenong bangus (stuffed milkfish), adobo, pansit (noodles), empanadas, pastries and other deserts.


As another visit drew to a close, I am reminded of the countless blessings and talents the Lord has given to each one of us and how much sweeter these blessings become when we share them with our fellowmen.


My cherished apostolate to the RVM nuns continues…