On May 5, 2017 Sister Narcisa Penaredonda with the congregation Sisters of Jesus, the Good Shepherd arrived on Saipan to join the present community under the Diocese. Sister Narcisa is originally from Imus Cavite, Philippines and is the second born of ten children. She has been a nun for 30 years, having professed her perpetual vows on May 10, 1992. Even after 30 years in the vocation, she shares that the Lord “drew me to himself, he stole my heart” and is still very much in love with Christ.
Inspired at age 8, Sister Narcisa saw missionaries in her province who left their homes and were sent to another country to bring the love of God to others. At church she would see nuns helping and giving communion and these little
events planted in her heart a “desire to serve”. She shared this desire with her mom who later introduced her to one of the sisters from the order she entered. With nine other siblings, Sister Narcisa’s plan was to enter the convent when she reached age 45, after her brothers and sisters all graduated and the family is financially settled. From her initial introduction, Sister Narcisa would join the sisters in prayer and reflection over the weekend. She was introduced to their Mother Superior and exchanged letters for about a year. There, sister saw that “the grace of God was working”.
One day, a van full of nuns visited her home. When she saw them she ran and hid, thinking to herself “if they ask me to enter I will say no, not until I am 45”. But after some time sharing stories and laughing, a sister asked if she wanted to enter on May 15, 1984. Right away, Sister Narcisa said “yes sister!” even though in her mind she thought, but I am not yet 45, she could not hold back her voice from saying yes. After entering the convent and making her first profession, her resignation request from work was denied. So for a month, she would go to class, work, and to the convent. Another month passed and she submitted a second letter, finally her boss said “I am competing with the Lord, I will give up”. However, at home, her mother begged her to stay and not join the convent. Though already knowing what the Lord wanted for her, Sister Narcisa fought the urges from her mother to stay home and remained obedient to her calling. When asked why she entered, she said “The Lord has been very good to me since childhood. It is an act of gratitude for God’s goodness to me and my family.”
Most of Sister Narcisa’s ministry was at a religious school, helping to counsel high school students and teachers. She also served as a spiritual companion to other religious and provided spiritual guidance for youth discerning a vocation. Her advice to those discerning a religious life is to “increase your time in prayer, read the scriptures, be attentive to your emotions to the scriptures that touch you, and share what you are feeling with a spiritual director”.
Today, Sister’s mission on Saipan is to be a part of the present community alongside Sister Nina and Sister Emma and to assist in the Catechetical Ministry. After waiting for a year to finalize her papers, she has finally arrived. She says the people are loving, welcoming and approachable while the island is quiet and peaceful. Her first time assigned out of the country for a mission she is happy to be on Saipan joining joyful sisters.
