My day begins with praise of God Three years ago when I was asked to accept the mission to come to Hawaii, I had to reflect back on my motivation for joining the congregation, the religious life. The motivation I had was to share the love of God. Yes, it was to share that love […]
Conversations: A Little Sister of Hawaii
Hawaii-born Little Sister of the Poor Marie Antoinette du St. Esprit Takahara. (HCH photo | Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP) “This will be my last trip home,” the kindly voice said. “It was a long trip coming over.” Something in my heart sank. I had just met her, and I didn’t want to let […]
Viriditas: Sister Agnella Iu, Carmelites
The simplicity of love The Carmelites prefer not to have their individual photos taken. Here is a picture of their convent on the Koolau slopes. In the daily life of Carmel, it is the presence of God that keeps us going. Here, we have a twofold mission to be, and to live, in God’s presence. […]
Viriditas: Father Khanh Pham-Nguyen, diocesan priest
Just show up Golf may be considered a sinful game. It can draw the worst out of you. Every single shot needs to be perfect. However, we are not perfect. There is a sweet spot right in the middle of the ball that needs to be hit. If you miss it, then the other side […]
Viriditas: Sister Dorothy Santos, Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Time with the Lord, prayer and mosaics You ask, “What is my secret that keeps me going?” I am 91 and am not ashamed to say it. The answer is “my prayer life, my closeness with the Lord.” Well, throughout the day I often say, “Jesus.” Or “Jesus, I love you.” When I go up […]
Viriditas: Sister Oliva Fuentes, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary
Teaching with humor I had always wanted to be a teacher, but I never thought about teaching preschoolers. Once I began working with the children however, I began to love them. Discipline is hard, but when you have a sense of humor, it becomes easy. I am always happy with my preschoolers. There was one […]
Viriditas: Brother Brandon Alana-Maugaotega, Society of Mary
Practices of prayer One of the things that keeps me grounded and focused is prayer. There is a clarity that comes when I reflect, discern and recollect events that occur during the day, over the course of a week, or even over where my life has led me. Prayer is one of the key things […]
To meet the unmeetable needs: Two Punahou grads meet in Taiwan. A conversation about life ensues
I am from Kailua. Jeff is from Honolulu. Both of us studied at Punahou School and embraced religious life after. I taught in Taiwan back in the 1980s. Jeff will complete in July his first year of teaching at Taiwan’s Fu Jen Catholic University. I came home to minister to the unmet needs in Hawaii; […]
Viriditas: Sister Mary Jo McEnany, Benedictine Congregation of Our Lady of Monte Oliveto
Mary with Jesus, with me I love the month of May. My name is Mary, and Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, has just been a wonderful partner to walk with and to pray with along my spiritual journey. Mary brings my soul closer to Jesus. When I slip and fall, which is often, Our […]
Viriditas: Sister Joan Chatfield, Maryknoll Sisters: Punctuating the positive
At the age of 80, I feel like I’ve got another whole new life ahead of me. I love being 80. I actually realize now that my best times in life are when I am with people of other religious persuasions and how we come together. It is exciting to be in the work of […]