Affirmation

I have had rare conversations with her. In the last three years, I only got to work with her thrice - in the same committee that convenes once every year. But when I recall confidence-building moments that I have had as a young worker in the Ateneo, she figured significantly in some of them. I recall that instance in my final year in college when she complimented our organization's paper, SwordBreaker, where I was the editor. In my first year as a worker in the University, at a meeting for the 'Autonomous' Celebration that she was presiding, she said these words when someone seemed to doubt me or the office's capacity to organize a certain activity - "If OSA is saying they can do it, then let's trust that they will do it." At another time, she called me just to commend the Ignatian theme of Dugong Atenista letter that I wrote. Finally, when I was discerning whether or not to leave the Ateneo three years ago (before taking my leave of absence for the Ship), she told me few words, but which spoke of sincere encouragement, and which I so needed at that personal crossroad. 

In between those moments and now, her presence, gestures and words on rare occasions in my life as a worker have helped in giving me confidence in doing formation work. She, along with mentors, colleagues and friends, has helped me embrace my formation work in the Ateneo, an example that has made me appreciate Ignatian Spirituality in my otherwise quite secular life. And much later on, when I get older (and more sentimental), I will remember those moments, because those were an experience and a gift of Ignatian Spirituality.