OND Sister makes perpetual vows

Following several years of temporary vows, the perpetual profession for the religious is the grace given by God of entering into an eternal covenant of spousal love and union with Him, making the religious a Bride of Christ in a bond that truly is perpetual, beginning on earth and lasting for eternity.

On March 19, 2024 the Solemnity of St. Joseph the Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Congregation of the Oblates Notre Dame rejoiced in thanksgiving for the gift of Sr. Ana Marie Calumno Emar, OND as they witnessed her Perpetual Profession of Religious Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience during a solemn Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ronald Abad, OMI at Our Lady of Hope Chapel, OND Compound in Tamontaka, D.O.S. Maguindanao del Norte with the theme “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” from Isaiah 49:16.
Sr. Ana Marie, the only child of Mr. Charlie Emar and Mrs. Thelma Calumno Emar (deceased) from Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat Archdiocese of Cotabato, was born on June 23, 1993. She is a graduate of Bachelor in Elementary Education.

She entered the Oblates of Notre Dame at the age of nineteen last May 29, 2013 and made her first profession on May 1, 2016.

In her reflection she shared that “After 10 years, now I received the ring of my marriage to God. My daily encounter with God in prayer is my daily vitamin to sustain the fire of my vocation. Community life is my school of virtue. It is my daily safe space of learning for my heaven’s story. The vows are God’s gift that allow me to share and be God’s partner in mission. It is a joyful freedom of my union with God. My mission assignments such as in Pikit, Alamada, Quezon City, Basilan, and Midsayap formed and evangelized me on how to walk with people. I am like a seed watered by so many people with their contributions. In my Renewal year, I cherished all my experiences that God is ever-present. I am grateful for having my 40 days of online accompaniment preparing for final vows under the Conference of Major Superior of the Philippines in collaboration with the Institute of Formation for Religious Studies, 30-day Ignatian Retreat, Marian retreat and formation classes facilitated by my Directress Sr. Estrella M. Corotan, OND. It is a coming home experience and I am grateful to my OND Sisters, family, and mission partners who became my support system in my vocation. Indeed, God’s call is special and extraordinary!”

Fr. Ronald Abad, OMI, as part of his homily mentioned “Sr. Marie, we pray that in the freedom of your heart you will actively participate in God’s mission for only when our heart is free can we also speak the language of God. Today, on the feast of St. Joseph we look at him speaking the language of God as he speaks the language of faith, hope and charity in his relationship with Jesus and Mary. These are the languages that we need to speak as consecrated men and women so others may understand the language of God.”

The perpetual profession of vows was accepted by the OND Superior General Sr. Erlinda C. Hisug, OND and was witnessed by the OND General Councilors, other OND Sisters, families and mission partners. It was followed by the Thanksgiving message of Sr. Ana Marie expressing her gratefulness to all who have become part of her life’s journey. We congratulate Sr. Ana Marie and assure her of our prayers as she leave for her new Mission. We accompany her with our prayers; that she may continue to see the beauty of the vocation that she has chosen and persevere in God’s goodness and grace. – Sr. Marilou Fernandez, OND