Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Speech

Sr. Mary Michael Lapuz Orbita, OSB | May 4, 2017
St. Benedict Priory, Ulas, Davao City

Good morning and thanks for the wonderful message Abp. Romulo Valles. Thank you Bishop Afable, Bishop Joy Tonel, Bishop Rony Bancoud and to all the priests present here. I also thank all the sisters and brothers of the different congregation, friends, benefactors, my family circle, all my cousins, all the doctors present here, the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier in Tibungco, our Benedictine nuns and monks all the way from Digos and Malaybalay.

I want to express my love and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his mercy and compassion. I’m grateful to our blessed Mother Mary who accompanies me in my monastic journey and always ready to help me especially when I needed help.

I remember today, my parents, Teodoro and Primitiva who have freely given me to the Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of the Eucharistic King with their blessings. And I thank God for my parent’s love and generosity and until this day, though heaven is already real for them, I can still feel their prayers for me.

I’ve been through many ups and downs in my monastic journey. There were wonderful joys along the way and countless sorrows as well, but I considered those as my great blessings.

I asked for Mama Mary’s intercession thru her son Jesus to bargain him that I may have more years to live. I really like to go to heaven but not now since my deepest desire is to be able to reach my golden jubilee on 2017.

We all know that God has many surprises for each of us. Last September 21, 2013, I was in coma for 3 days at San Pedro Hospital because my sugar got low. Within 3 days, I really don’t know what happened to me. Some of you who are here were there in the ICU in my dying moment and no more hope to recover. Thanks for your prayers and sacrifices that moment.

When I was transferred in my room that was the only time that I’ve known what had happened to me in the ICU and I still stayed for a month in the hospital because I developed pneumonia. They asked me if where did I go and what have I seen? I said “I have a wonderful sleep.” It was through God’s mercy, compassion, and faithfulness that I was brought back to life!

Thank you my dear friends for the prayers and sacrifices offered when I was in the ICU during my dying moment. All the doctors and nurses who took care of me while I’m in coma for 3 days, I did not have the chance to thank and see them ‘coz I am in deep sleep. I am forever grateful to my bigger family, the Benedictine sisters who took turns in watching over me night and day. Thank you Mother Ma. Araceli, Sr. Mary Philip and sisters all for not getting tired of praying for me. That means so much and is highly appreciated.

Answered prayers! Here I am now in front of you beloved friends, enjoying my greatest desire and request to celebrate my golden jubilee.

I thank you God each time I think of you and when I pray for you I pray with joy! May you continue to pray for me, and that this golden jubilee will reach its diamond day.

Thanks to the ff: Our oblates, the seminarians, our liturgist Sr. Dawn Marie and companions and our altar servers, Sr. M. Felicity, and companions who prepare our snacks after this Eucharistic Celebration. God reward you all!