90-year-old woman attends Holy Week recollection in southern Philippines

A 90-year-old Catholic woman attended a three-day Holy Week recollection in a remote parish in the southern Philippines.

The elderly woman would always just sit quietly in her favorite pew in the church. 

She was one of the 125 people who attended the April 10-13 program held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Piñan of the Diocese of Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte province.    

Chrisma Bangaoil, a committed lay missionary, and professor at the Dominican-run University of Santo Tomas, Manila, was the recollection facilitator. 

“Some minutes before the start of our day three recollection, the oldest of the participants, about 90 years old, was a daily Mass goer and one of our regular anonymous ‘Love the Poor’ benefactors,” said Bangaoil.

“Approaching me, the woman whispered asking, ‘Puwede bang makahingi ng copy ng talk mo kasi gusto ko sana mareview pero di na ako makasulat ng mabilis?’ (Can I ask for a copy of your talk because I would like to review but I cannot write fast anymore?), Bangaoil said. 

Bangaoil responded to the woman, saying, “I will print it for you.” Then the nonagenarian woman said “Di na ako mahihiyang manghingi kaya lumapit ako sa yo. Maganda kasi.” 

(I am not ashamed to ask so I came to you. Your presentation is great.)     

The disposition of the elderly person moved Bangaoil. 

"I was humbled. When I saw her on the first day of the recollection, I wondered if there is anything I would be able to share with her. What a shame for me and my worldly view,” said Bangaoil, a part-time catechist and pastoral worker.

“A few minutes after, another participant approached me and told me, "Ma'am, puwede lang di ka magdali kasi maganda. Okay lang sa amin ang mag extend kahit gabihin. Ganahan kaming maminaw sa mga sharing mo," Bangaoil added.

(Ma'am, you can just not hurry because it's nice. It's okay for us to extend even at night. We like to listen to your shares).

“And to think I was worried about extending the time of the talks, because they may be in a hurry,” she said. 

The pastoral volunteer said, “Being the facilitator, I felt that it was amazing grace. It is a great feeling to do something for the amazing God. I am grateful.”

Many found the Holy Week recollection useful, inspiring, and enriching. 

Salome Magcanta Maylon Icao, a participant said, “Thanks for the opportunity for joining ma'am. I was awakened and very thankful to you ma'am for sharing with us. Above all, all glory to God that our recollection was successful. God bless us all.”

For Matilde Aquino, it was “a great spiritual sharing. "