Lockdown is a new word for most people, but we who live in the convent are used to this,” says Sister Constance Tecson, OSB, finance committee head of St. Scholastica’s College (See columns on July 7 and 14, 2017.)
“We are locked down with the Lord, through our mindfulness in everything we do. There are really no idle moments.”
Like most of us before the quarantine, the Benedictine sisters of St. Scholastica were engaged in various outside activities to fulfill their mission of “ora et labora” (pray and work).
Having adjusted their work in line with government restrictions, they “are still full of energy to do things in the Lord’s service.”
Changes have been made to the “horarium” (literally “the hours,” or a schedule followed by religious houses) to be especially united with the whole world during this pandemic.
The sisters practice Blessed Sacrament adoration every day. Leading up to the last Holy Week, the choir practiced Gregorian chants. The nuns showcased creative talents during their Easter celebration, which had Sister Constance humming alleluia songs for days after.
The sisters pray the daily rosary in line with Vatican intentions, sometimes via live stream so that neighbors, employees and friends can join through Facebook, ensuring their “interconnectedness with the Lord and the people is still intact.”
Some sisters sew face masks from scraps given by a fashion designer. Others make face shields from plastic cover for books. Masks and shields are given to front-liners.
“During the early lockdown when we could still buy enough supplies or groceries, we packed goods for nearby construction workers who could not go home to the province,” Sister Constance says.
“Informal settlers also picked up goods through our security guards. However, when the barangay already had goods for distribution, we just concentrated on the street people whom we housed in our Tuluyan Center.”
Since 2008, Tuluyan ni San Benito in Malate, Manila, has provided temporary sanctuary during the day for the homeless to rest, eat, use the bathroom. These “kariton” people live hand-to-mouth in pedicabs or push carts, and theirs are “the voices that are not heard, not included in any census because they are very mobile,” according to the Tuluyan website.
The homeless are among the most vulnerable during this pandemic.
Tuluyan provides basic education and livelihood training to the homeless and streetchildren, including making mats, beads, soap; vending fish and food; cooking empanada. The rent-to-own pedicab program empowers them to earn a living.
Tuluyan aims “to offer opportunities for formation, leadership and skills training for the economic upliftment of street families [and] … help them regain self-respect and rehabilitation,” their site says.
“Tuluyan is not the answer to the root cause of homelessness and poverty. For now, in a small way, it gives rest to weary individuals and families … shivering from the cold and baking in the heat. Hopefully, [our] programs can help them cross the poverty line and make it to the other side.”
The sisters cook food to bring to doctors, nurses, police, garbage collectors, checkpoint personnel, sweepers, guards and bank employees. When a sister goes out to do purchases, the bagger, cashier and guards at the supermarket share in the priory’s goods.
“Where do we get our provisions?” Sister Constance points out. “We strongly believe in God’s providence. Friends and benefactors call or text to give cash or kind. We did not ask or inform them of what we are doing, but God is always there. To our friends and supporters, maraming salamat po.”
“Let us not waver in faith and hope, for God is journeying with us in joy and sorrow. He will never abandon us. Let us continue to hold on to Him.”
Visit Tuluyan Center at ssc.edu.ph/outreach-and-advocacies/tuluyan-shelter-for-street-families/
Queena N. Lee-Chua is with the board of directors of Ateneo’s Family Business Center. Get her book “All in the Family Business” at www.lazada.com.ph or call National’s Jennie Garcia at 0915-421-2276. Contact the author at blessbook.chua@gmail.com.