An inspiring story for young people: by Madel C. del Mundo, the first novice from Philippines.

Jesus looked around and saw rich people dropping their gifts in the Temple treasury, and he also saw a very poor widow dropping in two little copper coins. He said, “I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others. For the other offered their gifts from what they had to spare from their riches; but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4) 
     How about me? What is my offering for Him? This is the bible story that inspired me to do/ give something for the Lord, so I decided to look for an orphanage or any place where I can spend some of my time to serve others preferably the children. And God answered me in this way… 
    It was first Sunday of July 2016 when I first saw the sisters. After the mass, they were walking with the children and I was so touched by the way the children hold their hands and the sisters are also very sweet to them. I watched them for a moment.
     At first, I was hesitant to come near them because that time many sisters are asking me if I wanted to enter a convent. This idea confused me a lot because I already prepared so many plans for myself and to enter a convent is not on the list. But, I noticed that the sisters are foreigners and I thought they will not bother to ask me. So, I came to ask for a blessing and ask if they need a volunteer. It was sister Suja I first spoke with. She said “yes” so I left my phone number to her. I waited for two weeks but, I did not receive any call. To be honest I don’t understand why I felt sad. I attended the mass again in the Shrine of Divine Mercy (31 July 2016) and I saw them… the same scene with the children and it seemed that my feet were magneted towards them. I spoke to one of them (mother Erika),my exact words: “sister, I am waiting for your call”. And it looked like she remembers something and she invited me to come with them. 
     When I had the chance to speak with sister Suja, I asked why she did not call me. She said that the paper where my number was written was lost with her handkerchief. She told mother Erika about it and she said that: It’s okay. If she really likes, she will come back. And I came back…. and the story of my vocation began.
     I started to visit the sisters more often. I began to be very excited for saturdays to come. At first, I just assist to teach the children. And then, when the number of children rise, I was given my own class. Little children of three to six years old and sometimes there are even babies. With them, I learned to appreciate and be happy with simple things. I carry them, sing, dance,play and pray with them. Sometimes, during my rest days, I am coming with them also to visit some sick people and poor places. 
     People started to notice me always near the sisters so they said maybe I have vocation… maybe God is calling me. That time it’s a big “NO”for me…On my mind, I am here to teach the children not to be a sister. 
     I continue my life working on weekdays and seeing the sisters on weekends. What I love about the sisters is that they never force me about anything they respected me and just allow God to work. One thing I am sure: they pray a lot for me. 🙂 
     The time came they started to organize “search in”, where they invited girls to stay with them for some days and speak about prayer, the congregation, Blessed mother Esperanza, some things that concern religious life and vocation. The day I attended I met fr. Alberto Casado. There is one thing that I cannot forget that day… not his exact words but as I understand, he invited us to examine our hearts. He said that there are two kinds. One kind of heart can be for limited person (family, friends, spouse…) and the other kind of heart is free to be loved by anyone and to love everyone as well. That moment, I know very well what kind of heart God has given me… but, I tried not to entertain it… as I’ve said I have my own plans. 
     Despite of terrible confusion, I remain seeing the sisters and I even started to have a personal talk with mother Erika. I ask her anything I wanted to know about their life. I attend the mass regularly and pray often. I began to love staring to the crucifix of Merciful Love. The open arms of Mary Mediatrix is always an invitation for me to stay. The sweet smile of Blessed Mother Esperanza is telling me that I am “welcome”. I even read a book about Blessed Mother Esperanza, which inspires me so much. I began to love how the sisters are living. I pray a lot and ask God to guide me, help me and lead me the way which will please Him. 
     Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21) 
     The time came when my heart cannot contain any longer… I cannot understand and I cannot give you an exact explanation of what’s inside my heart. All I wanted to is to be closer to Jesus and have a beautiful relationship with Him. 
     I was able to give up one by one each of the things I am holding on to in order to empty my hands so that I can hold firmly to the one who is calling me. I welcome Jesus inmy heart.
     After almost two years of visiting the sisters, I did my official aspirancy for ten months, postulant for two years and now I am a Novice. 
     Things are not easy but this is not a hindrance to keep the joy of living the life that God wanted for me. Now, I am sent here in Rome to do my formation. Different place, culture, people, food, weather almost everything but one thing in common: The Merciful Love and this is more than enough reason for me to go on. I believe that whatever lies ahead are for my own good even if I don’t understand, I trust that the Holy Spirit is always with me as my companion.
     I cannot write here everything that happened for the past years this will be too long. I would just like to take this opportunity  to encourage the young people not to close their hearts to the calling of God. 
     Yes, its true that we have good plans for ourselves but God is the one who knows what is the best for us. Listen to Him and do not be afraid. If God calls you to work for His kingdom He will also give all the grace you need each and everyday. Always remember that you will never be alone. 
    Like the widow who gave all she had to live on, we must be courageous as well to offer our lives… to God.

It has a few years that the research centre “Merciful Love” wants to expand and explore the reflection regarding the mercy, while trying to give a cultural support to the merciful charism that Mother Esperanza prophetically announced more than forty years ago. The research centre promotes some seminars for small groups of grad students and scientists with attention to the research and deepening that needs to reflect on the charism from the theological, philosophical, social and educational point of view. Moreover there is a book series from the publisher ‘Ancora’ too. 

In the last year, while the pandemic forced us to live new situations, the research centre promoted two webinars; already in the title (“ give life a shape”), they take the baton of the seminars that took place before the pandemic and they try to revisit them using two very current matters: the pandemic and the net. How could we give a shape to life inside the pandemic experience and how inside the net? How Mercy helps us to reconsider and live the pandemic and how Mercy helps us to reconsider and live the digital life? 

Give shape to life: inside and over the pandemic (november 2020) Full video

Give shape to life: mercy and poverty in the net (february 2021)