Jasmin Yiu
Sister Maria Rosa Viloria, a member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, shared her inspiring journey to religious life in a recent interview, reflecting on the profound experiences that led her to dedicate her life to serving others. Her story, marked by personal loss, family support, and a deep trust in God, offers a powerful testament to the calling of a Good Shepherd Sister.
Sister Rosa’s path to her vocation began with a small book about St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, the founder of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Titled The Little White Shepherdess, the book captured the simplicity and resilience of St Mary Euphrasia, who faced hardships yet devoted her life to helping marginalized women and girls. “I was touched by her life and how simple she was,” Sister Rosa recalled. Her own calling was further ignited by witnessing suffering in her community, particularly a tragic fire that left her young cousin severely injured. “Life is so fragile,” she said, reflecting on how these moments drew her to the Good Shepherd mission of education and re-education for women and girls.
The road to religious life was not without challenges. After losing her father at 63 and her mother at 46, Sister Rosa, the eldest of six siblings, felt responsible for her family. At the time, she was a student nurse and believed her dream of becoming a sister was out of reach. “I thought I could not become a sister anymore because I had to take care of them,” she shared. However, a pivotal moment came during a retreat at the University of the Philippines, where a chaplain encouraged her to “give God a chance.” Her siblings, despite their youth, urged her to follow her calling, assuring her that God would care for them. “They said, ‘You better go… so that somebody will pray for us,’” she recounted with a smile.
This familial support proved crucial. “The support of the family is very important,” Sister Rosa emphasized. Trusting in divine providence, she entered the Good Shepherd Sisters and, in 1967, was sent to Hong Kong as a young nun. For 14 years, she served there before moving to Macau in 1982, where she has since worked in the Good Shepherd Center, including ministry in the local prison.
Her work in the prison left a lasting impact. Sister Maria Rosa was struck by the inmates’ receptiveness to God’s love, despite their mistakes often stemming from neglect, lack of supervision, or societal judgment. One prisoner’s plea stood out: “Don’t throw us out of school because we are the ones who need help the most.” This insight shaped her approach to ministry, focusing on listening and understanding rather than judgment. “They made mistakes. They didn’t know what they were doing,” she said, highlighting the importance of empathy and support.
Sister Rosa’s faith in God’s providence has sustained her through moments of helplessness. She shared a remarkable story of divine intervention when, overwhelmed by requests for financial help she couldn’t provide, she found exactly the amount needed—4,000—through unexpected means. “I was crying… I said, ‘Lord, why do you send people I cannot help?’” she recalled. The next day, money appeared in her convent, perfectly matching her needs. “I said, ‘Thank you, Lord. You have to keep your mouth shut,’” she laughed, underscoring her belief that God answers prayers in unexpected ways.
In a world where many face despair, Sister Rosa’s message is one of hope and trust. “God put you in this world because He loved you,” she said, encouraging Catholics to spread hope through sincerity and closeness to God. Her advice to those in need is simple yet profound: “Just listen… People want to be listened to, not to be talked to.” By listening and bringing others closer to God, she believes solutions emerge naturally.
For Sister Rosa, living out the spirit of charity in Macau means embodying the Good Shepherd’s mission of compassion and presence. Quoting Our Lady of Guadalupe, she reminds those she serves, “Am I not your mother?” Her life’s work reflects this maternal care, trusting that God, like a loving parent, will always provide.
Follow
