VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Living as a religious with the mission of being a student is very challenging. There are many levels to the demands. In each, I have had to be ready and willing to be molded by God in unexpected circumstances. Through all the challenges, I have found that gratefulness is the key to keeping my soul green.
As English is not my mother tongue, the first challenge encountered was in understanding the lessons. It took much effort to get used to the varied linguistic accents of my professors and colleagues in order to comprehend what they were saying.
Secondly, coming from Southeast Asia, the American culture and mannerisms were more liberal and individualistic than I had been exposed to. I remember how on my first day of school at Chaminade University, I had mixed feelings as a stranger. Although it was not the first time I studied in a foreign country, I was afraid to be rejected by classmates. Every day, I asked God to grant me the grace of wisdom and understanding of the culture. Slowly as time passed, the shock factor subsided. I learned to accept and embrace as I was accepted and embraced.
The third challenge occurred as I was learning to drive. I had never driven a car in my life! I almost gave up learning. It was not easy to remember the routes of the road. However, through God’s providence and a couple of attempts, I finally did receive my driver’s license with a sigh of gratitude.
The fourth challenge is a continuing one as it relates to how to keep nurturing my spiritual life as a religious sister and being a better witness of God’s love. The Eucharist and eucharistic adoration serve as the food by which my soul is daily fed. Through them, I have become more aware of the presence of God in all creatures and in each person I meet whether it be the sisters in community, students, professors or the school staff.
One day, I remember feeling sad and down because of the difficulties I was having with studies. It seemed to me that my prayers were not being heard and help was not on its way. Nevertheless, I continued to pray to God to enlighten my heart and soul as I kept on with my daily activities.
As I was watering the flowers and plants in the garden, my attention was suddenly caught by a very large frog! It was the biggest frog I had ever seen. In my fear, I tried to chase it away. The following day, it appeared again! I then shared this story with one of my sisters in community, Sister Dorothy Santos. After attentively listening, she then commented on the meaning of “FROG” as “Fully Rely on God.” I was totally awakened by her comment. Then I found this verse in the Bible, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Two weeks later, the frog disappeared without a trace never coming back. I give gratitude for the frog and the wisdom of Sister Dorothy. The word of God strengthens me and helps me to rely and trust the Lord without any doubt.
A member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Sister Augustina Sri Mulyati was born and grew up in Lasem Rembang in Central Java, Indonesia. She is nine years professed. She resides at Regina Pacis Convent in Kaimuki and is in her second year at Chaminade University in the early childhood education program.
