The Unexpected Journey

What was meant to be a temporary leave of absence from Assumption-Iloilo, turned into an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling journey with the Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. It all began on April 16, 1986.

I started as a volunteer, distributing Ave Maria magazines alongside Fr. Prass, OMI, who was then assigned at San Lazaro Hospital. Together with Amalia, our longtime housekeeper, we went door-to-door promoting the magazine. In my head, I could hear the famous Electrolux jingle— “knock on your door...” Before long, we had grown into a team of Ave Maria promoters, including Benny Ilagan, Albert Caraan, and Rosemarie Dela Cruz. We often told ourselves that our Blessed Mother Mary would lead us to permanent jobs. True enough, when the Assisi office needed a bookkeeper, I eagerly raised my hand, being a graduate of BSC majoring in accounting.

In 1987, Assisi provided secretariat services to the Archdiocese of Manila, under His Eminence Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, for the National Eucharistic Year and the International/Pastoral Conference on the Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I provided secretarial support to the team headed by Sr. Antoine Villanueva, SPC. It was an overwhelming task, but one that helped me grow in confidence and faith.

The 1991 Pilgrimage of Trust and the 1993–1995 World Youth Day (in Denver and Manila) further shaped my journey. These events led to many firsts: applying for visas (Schengen and U.S.), traveling alone to a foreign country, attempting to pack light (not always successfully!), and working closely with organizing committees. Every step, every meeting, and every challenge was accompanied by three Hail Marys. There were moments of frustration—sometimes even tears—but also moments of grace, friendship, and growth. For the 1995 WYD preparations, it was the daily one-hour adoration of the Holy Eucharist that became my source of rest and guidance, just as it had been during the Pilgrimage of Trust.

When I retired in 2020, I looked back at a lifetime of experiences that Assisi had given me—opportunities, friendships, and most of all, a deep and personal relationship with a loving God, His Son Jesus, the Blessed Mother Mary, and Saint Joseph. Through every challenge and accomplishment, I have seen the hand of God at work in my life.

by Maria Victoria M. Borres