Changed to Change

by Jade Dela Torre

I grew up in a “traditional Catholic family”. My siblings and I spent every Summer and Christmas holidays in our grandparents' house. It was during those times that we were taught to religiously participate catholic church activities such as 3 o'clock Prayer and Angelus, daily Rosary, attending first Friday and Saturday Mass, mesa de gallo, holy week and all others. I was also actively participating youth organizations in our own parish and became one of the leaders organizing youth camps and activities for Flores de Mayo. My father was also member of the Catholic Faith defender while my mom was an active member of the Charismatic Community in our parish.

I still remember when I was still 6 years old, we had a neighbor who was Protestant Christian who invited me for a Bible study. As innocent as a child can be, I have no hesitation when they invited me especially that they are giving candies, cakes and ice cream after 😊 

Long story short, I got to feel the belt and buckle one more time courtesy of my father. Because of the gravity on how I was punished, I developed an automatic response to stay distant from other denomination. I became very selective on who I should be with (maybe it be friends or even relationships), all of them should be Catholic. And this went on even in the workplace.

Then came Chris, a protestant Christian. He’s unexpected coming took a complete 360 degrees turn on how I see things. It took me a lot of discernment, prayers and courage to finally allow him to be part of my life.  Never did I imagined myself to be with a protestant special someone -even more a husband. The time came when I decided to tell my father about him. To be honest, it’s a scary moment knowing how my dad look at other denomination.  True enough, he was furious asking me so many “why’s” but later on agreed to meet Chris in Leyte.  When they finally met in person and shared some time discussing their beliefs,  surprisingly Chris got a big “yes”  not only from my father but also from my mom but with only one condition;  If we decide to get married, it should be a Catholic wedding.

Being with Chris, I got to see things differently especially on my relationship from our brothers and sisters from other denominations. I started to understand more that we can focus on our common beliefs than to argue on the different ways we worship.  After I met Chris, I started having friends both coming from different denominations. Even now, one of my closest friend is an evangelical Christian whose husband is an active pastor of their church. The whole process has changed me a lot. 

Now being in HCC community, all the more I found my personal relationship with Christ. I felt the Holy Spirit working through me during the teaching sessions, and through praise and worship. My Christian view widened. Even writing this sharing I realize that it was God’s plan after all to put all the pieces in place. Meeting Chris, having met friends from other denominations, and right now HCC. God was preparing me in understanding what an ecumenical community is all about.  This, brothers and sisters, was how I witnessed myself changing and able to accept Jesus Christ more. Praise be to God!