Hello, I am Sister Marilyn. I am a Sister of Mary serving at Girlstown, Villa de las Niñas in Chalco, Mexico. We take care of almost 3,500 young girls here.
I am originally from Candelaria Quezon, Philippines. I am one of the thousands of children saved by the Sisters of Mary, not only from poverty but from the world’s violence and I am a proud graduate of this school.
I joined the congregation as a religious in 2007 and understand that God has prepared me for this special calling. I was sent from the Philippines to the community in Chalco, Mexico, in 2016. I was very excited and anxious at the same time upon arriving in Mexico. I thought the language might be a barrier, but the invitation to be part of the “unfinished symphony” of our founder Father Al echoed in my heart. That freed me from the fear of being so far from home. I served as a Mother Sister to the children. Being with them in their different activities made me fully alive. Through my service to the children, I realized that I could relate to their emotional aches and pains due to what God has permitted me to experience. I learned that most children did not hesitate to open their souls and share their pains whenever I counseled them. I strongly believe in the language of the heart.
Currently, I serve at the Villa Aloysius Memorial and Spiritual Center, which I consider an extraordinary grace from God through the congregation. I try to be faithful in fulfilling my duties and responsibilities every day as a religious sister, simultaneously practicing our calling to be Martha and Mary, as in the gospels. I have been blessed to learn much about Father Al’s spirituality in this responsibility at the Villa Aloysius Memorial and Spiritual Center. I can feel his presence, although I never met him personally.
Thank you for sponsoring me, and I hope you will make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and the Villa Aloysius Memorial and Spiritual Center here at the Sisters of Mary World Villages for Children Girlstown, Chalco, Mexico. You are in my prayers.