VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Prayer is like a gift from God. I remember learning how to pray when I was in the third grade. I wasn’t taught by my parents or teachers how to pray, it just happened. Later in high school, I always made it a point to stop by the church on my way to class to attend Mass and pray. I prayed for the people around me, the souls in purgatory and everyone and everything else. God is always in my heart.
After graduating from high school, I entered the convent. For the first year and a half, I was a postulant learning more about the congregation, myself and God. The stage of novitiate followed over the next two years. During this period of religious formation, we were taught that we needed to fill ourselves with prayer, as a bank deposit, so that we would have enough to draw on when we needed extra strength during our work in the missions.
In the backyard of our motherhouse, we have the Way of the Cross which I really like to walk. I also like to pray the rosary and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. Taking time for personal prayer is a good way to bring oneself closer to God. Before I sit in prayer, I make sure my cellphone is turned to silent mode. Then, I usually begin with an invocation to the Holy Spirit asking for guidance and help. My favorite words are: “God is kind and merciful.” I like to repeat these words as a mantra. As I allow myself to sink deeper into the prayer, I remember my faults and know how much more I do need and love the Lord.
Sometimes working in the preschool, for example, I get upset when the children throw tantrums. I have learned to quiet myself by stepping outside away from them and deeply breathing. As I inhale and exhale I pray, “Lord, help me to be patient, to be kind, and to say nice words to them. Help me to be calm instead of yelling or shouting, or saying things that I might regret.” By asking God to be with me, it is easier to respect them and others, because God is in everyone.
You should try spending 3-5 minutes each day in silence yourself. By taking time to calm your body and spirit, you will be able to appreciate more all the blessings and beautiful things you receive from God including your work and the people you meet. God is everywhere, especially in your heart.
Sister Maria Dina Danos is a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. She is 22 years professed and has been teaching in Hawaii four and a half years. She works at Rosary Preschool in Waipio Gentry and resides at Dominican Center Hawaii.
