IN THE QUIET corridors of a religious bookstore tucked within the bustling heart of Iloilo City, where jeepneys hum past and the afternoon sun spills gold over aging rooftops, a 76-year-old nun sits serenely, her story unfolding like petals in bloom.
She asks that her name not be fully revealed. For this story, she is simply Sister Stella — a woman whose understanding of love was shaped not by vows alone, but by a brief, tender encounter with romance that clarified her life’s calling.
At 27, she entered the convent. But before that, at 25, she fell in love.
And it changed everything.
A Love That Helped Her Listen
Born in Cavite to a mother from Leon, Iloilo, Sister Stella’s roots straddled two worlds. Yet it was Iloilo that would eventually cradle her vocation.
Her early adulthood was marked by ambition and exploration. She pursued a pre-med degree, immersing herself in science, healing, and the possibilities of a conventional life. Marriage was not an impossible dream. It was a real consideration.
After all, she had a boyfriend.
“Before entering the convent, I fell in love at 25,” Sister Stella recalls, her lips curling into a wistful smile.
“Falling in love…is natural, and in fact, it enriches one’s understanding of where they truly belong,” she added.
For her, love was not a mistake or distraction. It was discernment in motion.
“Falling in love helps you discern ‘where am I really meant to be.’ During that time, however, I realized I didn’t really feel like I was made for love. But when I was in the convent, I felt very secure. I felt very peaceful. On the other hand, when I was outside interacting with the opposite sex, I didn’t experience that peace,” she stressed.
The contrast was unmistakable. Romance stirred excitement — but not rest. The convent offered stillness — and certainty.
The Boyfriend Who Became a Turning Point
She speaks of him gently, without bitterness or regret.
“I had one boyfriend. He was a test for myself, a way to discern what made me happy and fulfilled. Ultimately, I discovered that I wanted to become a nun.”
That relationship, she says, was necessary.
“In the end, I realized I was truly not meant for marriage,” she adds.
There is no drama in her voice. Only clarity.
Through what she describes as a fleeting but meaningful romance — one that carried the thrill of butterflies and youthful affection — she found something deeper: self-knowledge.
“Having a boyfriend allowed me to discern my path,” she explains.
Even heartbreak, she implies, can be holy ground.
When Love Becomes Calling
Two years after wrestling with questions of career and commitment, Sister Stella made her decision. At 27, she entered the convent — leaving behind the possibility of marriage but stepping into something she describes as greater fulfillment.
“Vocation is truly a mystery,” she shares.
“It’s not merely about wanting to be a sister; it’s about responding to a call that only God knows,” she uttered.
Her journey was not linear. It was layered — science student, young woman in love, seeker of meaning, and finally, servant of faith.
And through it all, her understanding of love evolved.
“Without God, love loses its essence,” Sister Stella expresses, her voice gentle yet unwavering.
“We were created in love before anything else. God intricately wove humanity into existence with profound purpose, embracing us with His divine affection.”
For her, romantic love was not replaced. It was expanded — transformed into a devotion that transcended the personal and embraced the universal.
Message for the Young
In an age where love is often reduced to fleeting emotion, curated images, and momentary validation, Sister Stella speaks with quiet urgency.
“It’s vital for young people to understand their identity in God,” she emphasizes passionately. “We are created from love and called to share that love with the world.”
She worries about confusion — about young hearts searching for worth in the wrong places.
“Without grasping the true meaning of love, we risk falling into patterns of immorality,” she laments.
“Many fail to realize they are cherished by God, which leads them to struggle with their self-worth.”
Her message is not restrictive but restorative: Love is not a game. It is responsibility.
“Teaching young people that love is not a game, but a responsibility anchored in God’s love, can transform their lives,” she imparts earnestly.
Love That Surpasses All
As the sun sets and shadows lengthen across convent walls, Sister Stella reflects on the fullness of her choice.
While she prefers not to dwell on the details of her past romance, she does not deny its sweetness.
“I experienced the thrill of young love, felt the rush of butterflies, and embraced the joy of attraction to the opposite sex. Yet, the love I found in the Lord surpasses all else—it’s a profound fulfillment, a deep security, and a love that transcends mere emotion,” she shared.
Her smile is serene, unburdened by regret.
“It’s simply a calling. Regardless of your status—a sister or a nun, a priest, single, or married—you can serve the Lord and show love without limits,” she emphasized.
And perhaps that is the quiet revelation of her life: love did not disappear when she entered the convent. It blossomed — broader, deeper, steadier.
“Love is the ultimate gift,” she concludes. “We are here to love and to fulfill God’s plan for us. Embracing this truth transforms everything.”
In the midst of Iloilo’s noise and motion, Sister Stella remains a gentle reminder that love is not always about holding someone’s hand. Sometimes, it is about letting go — and listening.
Love, she discovered, is not merely something we feel.
It is something we are called to become./PN
