On the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we share the testimony of faith, hope, and commitment of Patricia Erica R. Rodriguez, a young pre-novice from the Philippines who has begun her journey in religious life. In this interview, she opens her heart with simplicity and courage, sharing what moved her to say “yes” to God's call and how she is living this time of seeking and discernment. Her story inspires us to trust, to listen, and to let ourselves be surprised by the love that transforms.
Growing up, I never imagined that I would ever consider becoming a Religious of the Assumption—even though I graduated from an Assumption school. I am an Old Girl (alumna) of Assumption Antipolo, Batch 2011.
My discernment journey began in April 2022, after I visited the Assumption Sisters in Malibay, Pasay. I wanted to thank them personally for organizing the online Jesus Week (Holy Week) retreat. I had joined the retreat because I was seeking a space for prayerful reflection during Holy Week—one that also allowed meaningful interaction with other retreatants.
Towards the end of the retreat, Sr. Lourdes Roquiño reached out to me through Zoom’s private chat. She asked, “Pat, have you considered discerning religious life?” Her question took me by surprise. I responded, “No, Sister, but I want to visit you in Malibay to thank you for organizing the retreat.”
That visit came in July 2022. I had lunch with the Malibay sisters and asked them to share their vocation stories. What struck me was the recurring theme of joy—the deep joy they felt in living out their vocation. I was moved because I had experienced something similar. At the time, I was about to begin my seventh year of teaching at Assumption Antipolo. Our school had just emerged from two challenging online academic years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had stretched me professionally. Still, despite the difficulties, the joy I experienced through teaching never left me.
In September 2022, Sr. Joy de Vera gave me a copy of Life on a Mission by Sr. Isabel Villacarlos. It was a captivating account of her years as a missionary in Africa. Her stories opened my eyes to the vibrant and meaningful life of a sister. “The life of a sister isn’t so boring after all,” I thought.
Sr. Lourdes later invited me to visit the sisters once a month. During my first three visits, I didn’t feel any strong stirring in my heart to pursue religious life. I simply enjoyed getting to know the sisters and spending time with them.
But something shifted in January 2023. I was with the sisters at Assumption San Lorenzo for our Tết (Lunar New Year) celebration when Sr. Remedios Locsin, the first principal of Assumption Antipolo, passed away. I joined the sisters as they gathered around her room near the school chapel. They sang Assumpta est Maria, a hymn I had always associated with special occasions like the Feast of the Assumption, the Feast of St. Marie Eugenie, and graduation ceremonies. But in that moment, it struck me differently.
I remember thinking, “Bakit ang ganda?” (“Why is it so beautiful?”)
When Sr. Lourdes said, “She gave her life fully to God,” something clicked. That moment helped me understand what had been stirring in my heart. Later, I learned that Assumpta est Maria was Sr. Remedios’ favorite song—an affirmation of a life joyfully and wholly given to God.
My family and friends have always been very supportive. At first, my mother cried when she found out that my aspirancy would last only one year. It meant I had just a year left to be with my family. As for my father, I didn’t see him cry about my leaving until my home visit as a postulant. He shared that he had cried at home after my family accompanied me when I transferred to Malibay. My brothers and our household helper, Ate Novie, have also been supportive, knowing that I am happy here.
My friends and the AA community affirmed me. Even when I was just beginning my discernment process and only a few people knew about it, I was already hearing comments like, “You are blooming!” This outward manifestation of joy affirmed that I was on the right path.
I was deeply influenced by my colleagues at AA, whom I credit with teaching me—by their example—what it means to joyfully serve through teaching and forming our students. Their witness helped me fall in love with the Assumption's charism of education.
The Religious of the Assumption sisters also witnessed God’s love to me through their example. Each sister had her own unique way of radiating a loving and joyful presence. As I got to know them, listened to their stories about life before they entered, and heard about their adventures in religious life, I found myself wanting to be like them. They showed me that holy and joyful religious sisters come in different molds, and their willingness to let God shine through their personalities inspired me to consider religious life in the Assumption.
To be a Religious of the Assumption today means loving our times and responding to current realities while remaining rooted in our relationship with God. We are living amidst great brokenness and pain in the world — climate crises, wars, political unrest, a widening gap between the rich and the poor, and growing mental health concerns. By lovingly and faithfully serving in our apostolates and sharing our charism of education with the Church, we help form others to take part in responding to these realities. To do this effectively, we must be intentional in nourishing our prayer life and relationship with God. It is God who sustains us, and by His grace, He enables us to serve others.
First, I would like to reassure her that feeling anxious is completely normal. Leaving what is familiar and comfortable is never easy—but growth only happens when we step out of our comfort zones.
The sisters assured me that I would gain, not lose, by choosing to discern religious life. When I formally began my discernment as a postulant, I felt that God was leading me to consider this path. It has now been 10 months since I entered, and I can say that the blessings I have received far outnumber the things I chose to give up.
I would also like to share two quotes from the button pins I used to clip to my backpack. The first is: “Change is scary, but so is staying the same.” I knew I needed to take a leap of faith in order to grow.
The second is: “No season is ever wasted.” Should I find out along the way that this is not the path for me, I will not regret the journey—because it will have helped form me into a better person. The regret I would feel from never having considered religious life would be far greater.