A TELECOM EXECUTIVE'S JOURNEY TO THE CONVENT

Sr. Elosia Marie C. Inocentes, RVM, used to dream of having many children. She never imagined in her youth that she would be wearing a nun’s habit someday. Sr. Mi-Les now serves as a nun  under  the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) in Quezon City.

Prior to joining the RVM, Sr. Mi-Les was on the corporate fast track. She earned her bachelor’s degree in AB Psychology at Ateneo de Manila in 1996,  and started a  marketing career at SMART Telecom. Her work  then thrilled her with parties and perks.  

While busy with the demands of work, she was also praying to St. Joseph for her to find the right man to marry. It  seemed that she had found her place in the corporate life until she heard a different call. 

Sr. Mi-Les eventually   resigned from her job and volunteered to serve as a religion teacher to street children in Mandaluyong City.  She went through  a discernment process  under the guidance of a Jesuit priest before she decided to join the RVM as postulant in 2005. 

Sr. Eloisa Marie  C. Inocentes during her Profession of Perpetual Vows, Chapel of the Assumption, Quezon City

On March 25, 2015-- the Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord-- Sr. Mi-Les professed her perpetual vows and received the ring that would signify her finding a symbolic husband in the person of Jesus Christ.

Read  more about Sr. Mis-Les’ vocation story and her pointers for new college graduates "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  available at Fully Booked,  St. Paul's Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.

A RELIGIOUS VOCATION IS NEVER LATE

Msgr. Dan Sta. Mara as he appears on the cover of his  third book:

One interesting career journey  featured  in "Pointers for New College Graduates" is that of  a priest, who found his calling way past college graduation. 

Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Cubao,  recalls his  years before and after entering the seminary. 

He was born and raised,   together with  eight siblings.  in Mandaluyong City,  He wanted to reciprocate the dedication and hard work of his parents,  and did so  by graduating summa cum laude at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he earned his degree in BS Chemical Engineering.

Like a typical new graduate, Msgr. Dan thought he would be a family man.  When he was in college, he had a girlfriend , who broke up with him when he had to leave  the country  for  his masteral studies at Clarkson University in New York.

Msgr. Dan experienced how it was like to be corporate executive. He worked for years with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio and with Dupont in Houston, Texas.  

Yet the call of a priestly vocation  proved too powerful for Msgr. Dan.  His  life took a big turn when he returned  in 1979 to the Philippines and decided to enter San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, then later, San Jose Seminary in Quezon City. . 

After what seemed  like a long and colorful journey, Msgr. Dan was ordained priest in 1986 at   the age of forty-three.

Learn more about Msgr. Dan's vocation story and his pointers for young adults at life's many crossroads.

Ms. Dan Sta. Maria wrote the foreword of "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.