En el Maria Droste Wellness Center in Quezon City, the Filipinas, 33 sisters — most elderly and some living with significant health needs — continue their vocation through prayer, presence, and life in community. Named after Beata María Droste, whose life united prayer with compassionate service, the center combines professional healthcare with a shared daily life in which sisters, nurses, caregivers, staff, and other partners-in-mission eat, pray, and spend time together. Here, three sisters and one partner-in-mission who work at the center share their experience.

Sr. Cora Malinay, Infirmary Directress

Truly, it’s a privilege to care for, pray with, and share life experiences with our sisters, and to be enriched by their wits and wisdom.

Many times, too, I am brought back to my past memories. In these very sisters, at the peak of their strength and active minds, I would see them running here and there, managing ministries, agencies, and roles in communities.

As a young religious then, I was greatly amazed by how caring and compassionate they were in dealing with the people they served, particularly women, girls, and children.

Then, bit by bit, I learned to understand what Mother Foundress had said: “for the glory of God and zeal for the salvation of souls or persons”. Even now, with the reality of diminishment, the zeal and compassionate life still remain within our sisters.

The lifestyle has changed to a great degree. The focus now is on prayer life, fidelity to prayer, an effort to grow in relationship with God, and to live as Saint Mary Fraser had said: “I’ve got no talent, but I love with all my heart.” We try to live in community and with the people we are in contact with.

With so many changes in and around us, we are indeed in continuous search for how best we could respond to ever-changing realities and conditions in our lives.

One concrete development in our community life is the change in physical structure — from one dining room for the assisted sisters and another for the independent ones—now becoming one big dining room accommodating both groups together with our nurses, caregivers, staff, mission partners, and for some special occasions, visitors also join us here.

This is also where we gather for community prayers, besides the big chapel and oratory. The advantage we experience now, being together in the same place for many activities, is the increase in oneness among our sisters as well as our mission partners, and being able to see each other as we are just a glance away from each other.

Vea Alessa Peralta, Nurse

For the past two years, I have been caring for our beloved elderly sisters as a mission partner. For me, this has been more than a profession. It has been a meaningful journey of service, compassion, and love guided by the spirit and values of Saint Mary Euphrasia.

In caring for the sisters, I have learned to uphold their dignity, treat each other with respect and kindness, and serve with a heart full of mercy and compassion. Their lives remind me of the importance of patience, humility, and seeing the value of every person, especially in their most vulnerable years.

I have come to realize that true service is not simply about caring for someone’s physical needs, but also about bringing comfort, hope, and love. I came here to serve, but the sisters have given me so much more. They have strengthened my faith and taught me the true meaning of loving service. I am deeply grateful for this mission and for the privilege of walking alongside them.

Sr. Teresita Cordova, Infirmary Support Services Coordinator / Community Coordinator

For me, this ministry is both a privilege and a blessing. Caring for our sisters is a way of expressing gratitude for the countless years they dedicated to serving God’s people as missionaries in different parts of the world. They generously gave their lives in service, inspired by the charism of Saint Mary Euphrasia and the compassionate heart of the Good Shepherd.

Being with them is a profound learning experience. I have the privilege of listening to their life stories, rejoicing in their struggles and sacrifices, and witnessing their journey of letting go as they embrace this new stage of life. Their stories are a testament to God’s enduring faithfulness and the transformative power of a life lived in loving service.

This ministry calls for patience, compassion, kindness, and deep respect for the dignity of every person. It invites us to be present, to listen with our hearts, and to accompany our sisters with tenderness and understanding.

Although many of them now face physical limitations, I have witnessed how their faith has grown even deeper. Their lives continue to radiate joy, gratitude, and serenity. They appreciate the care they receive and have accepted their present reality with remarkable peace and trust in God.

Here, they find comfort in one another’s presence and experience the warmth of a caring community. More than a place of care, it is a home where they are valued, loved, and respected — a home where they truly belong.

As we journey with them, we are constantly reminded that caring for the elderly is not simply a responsibility, but a sacred ministry. It is an opportunity to honor their legacy, accompany them with love, and witness the enduring beauty of lives faithfully dedicated to God and his mission.

Sr. Emma Marzan, Personnel Coordinator

Our community has been entrusted with the care of our elderly and sick sisters — a ministry both new and deeply meaningful. Through this shared journey, we have discovered that it is truly a ministry of gratitude and love. These women have poured out their lives in service to God and the church, serving the poor, the marginalized, especially women and children in difficult situations.

Now, in their later years, we have the privilege of walking alongside them, offering dignity, compassion, and prayer. Ensuring their faith and vocation remain at the heart of daily life. Even in frailty, their zeal to reach out and their desire to share wisdom remain visible. And when the time comes for life’s final journey, we witness their courage in embracing vulnerability.

Together with our partners-in-mission, we strive to accompany them with honesty, reverence, and love – honoring their legacy and affirming their dignity. This ministry is both grace and challenge. Above all, it is a living witness to God’s unconditional love and enduring fidelity, shining in their lives.