"Who Would Have Known?" (A Love Story of an Ex-Priest and an Ex-Nun)

Introduction

"Have you ever thought about writing a book, even if you're not a writer?" This question caught my attention in an email advertisement, inspiring me to pursue a long-buried desire to write a love story that had been on my heart for years.

In response to God's calling, I am privileged to share the story of my life, journeying with my husband William, which is a testimony to His mysterious plan. Who would have known that the priest who introduced me to religious life would one day become my husband, thirteen years later? What was God's plan for us from the very beginning of our existence? Why did William become the instrument of my entering the convent, and why did God allow him to leave the priesthood thirty years later? Why me, when he could have married someone else? Who am I to question God's mysterious ways, which brought us together as husband and wife?

Our love story, the union of an ex-priest and ex-nun, made people curious. It even brought us to a TV show called "Show After Dark," hosted by Ms. Gloria Diaz and Mr. Vic Vargas, who were intrigued by us. With all the questions asked, my husband's clear answer was, "We were prepared for each other, and I believe that my wife is God's answer to my prayers."

Our friends and relatives doubted that our partnership would work, given the age gap of twenty years and our different family backgrounds. However, our love revolved around our quest for a meaningful life, and our commonality strongly inspired us to build God's kingdom here on earth to fulfill our mission.

William was God's personified love for me. He was my mentor, adviser, provider, and husband. As for me and for others whose lives were influenced by him, he was one in a million. An integrated person who walked his talk, he came from a well-off family yet was at home with the poor. He developed poor communities together with socially and spiritually oriented moneyed people.

Looking back over the years, and as the story of our lives continued to unfold, I saw the link of God's plans. God wanted us to build His community of love, freedom, justice, and progress, training us in religious life and eventually applying those principles in the secular community of married life.

God's awesome plan did not happen by accident or coincidence. The twists and turns of events were part of the total picture of His divine intervention. Let me start by sharing how this plan unfolded.

As we grew older, God continued to prepare us for each other in different ways. William's time in the seminary allowed him to deepen his faith and learn the importance of serving others. Meanwhile, my experiences with my family taught me the value of prayer and the importance of seeking God in difficult times.

Although we lived in different worlds, we were brought together by our shared Catholic faith. We both attended mass regularly and were active in our respective church communities. It was through these communities that we first met and got to know each other.

As we got to know each other better, we realized that we shared a deep love for God and a desire to serve Him. We also shared a commitment to our families and to helping those in need.

In hindsight, it is clear that God was preparing us for each other long before we even knew it. He was shaping us into the people we needed to be in order to have a successful marriage and partnership in His work.

Our journey together was just beginning, but we both knew that God had a plan for us and that He would guide us every step of the way.