Another Personal Encounter with the Head of PRO-LIFE PHILIPPINES, SIS. MARY PILAR VERSOZA, RGS

Sis. Mary Pilar Versoza, RGS and Rev. Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS at the end of National Apologetic Convention

After a long Apologetic Convention and an equally long but grace-filled Holy Mass Ad Orientem with Bishop Emeritus Angel Hobayan, we returned to the main hall for lunch. It took time for Ryan and myself to return to the hall because the seminar participants wanted to pay their respect, asking for e-mail address for apologetic help, requested for photo shoots, etc. When we finally arrived Bro. Henry Siy brought at the side of Bishop Hobayan and he also positioned himself right in front of us. During the course of our lunch and conversations Sis. Pilar suddenly appeared, dressed in her blue habit and black veil with a single white line. I asked Ryan, "O my God! Do you know who she is?" He responded, "No, father. Who is she?" Then I explained: "She is the head of Pro-Life Philippines, the National Coordinator. This is Sis. Pilar Versoza, RGS. A great champion of Life in the Church." Even though we were tired and really hungry we rushed our packed lunch and went outside to greet Sis. Pilar.

Bro. Ryan Mejillano of Catholic Faith Defenders - Davao and Bro. John Emperador of Catholic Shield - Baguio City with Sis. Pilar Versoza, RGS

I first met Sis. Pilar way back 1993 when I was still studying Philosophy at Don Bosco College Seminary in Canlubang. Our school invited her to be our seminar speaker on Pro-Life Issues. I was very young then and so she was but at that time she was already known nationally as one of the leading defender of the Dignity of Life of the Unborn.

As a speaker Sis. Pilar was very eloquent and intelligent. Her arguments are clear and precise and her explanations of the Moral Teachings of the Church is very solid and practical. She can explain beautifully in simple words understandable to people the intricacies of the debates on Abortions, Contraceptives, Women's Rights, the government's claim of Family Planning for Economic Prosperity, etc. But the most moving images I have of her are only two:

1. The replica of a 3 month old fetus she always carry with her and she is showing to us all.

2. The film she presented giving us in full horror the evil of abortion.

I was glad that she became our speaker at that time when I was still in Philosophical formation. Because her words have been implanted in my heart and since then any argument for abortion or contraceptives doesn't have a place in my heart. This is all the more reinforced by my personal reading of Humanae Vitae of Pope Paul VI the great moral prophet of our time and most of all, the Enclyclical Letter of Pope John Paul the Great entitled EVANGELIUM VITAE. It presented the position of the Church on the value and dignity of human life from Old Testament to the New Testament, the Didache and the writings of the Fathers. It is like a seamless whole. It is one of the few documents that brought tears to my eyes because I could really feel the presence of St. Peter speaking through the late Pontiff.

Since then until the Convention I was not privileged to see her again although I saw her as guest on TV several times and from time to time she appears on newspapers or quoted on some articles when Abortion and Contraceptive issues are becoming prominent in society again.

When we talked to Sis. Pilar it was me who asked for her hand and did the 'Mano', i.e., the traditional Filipino manner of respect to parents and elders by putting the back of his or her right hand on your forehead handling it lovingly by your right hand. At that time I felt younger again, back to those great old days when I was at the prime of my youth learning the Wisdom of the Church from this great Champion of Life.

Sis. is kind and loving. She is always smiling. On the other hand, beneath that facade of charity and joy she is a woman of steel. Her resolved to protect and defend life has made her a fighter. Like Mother Teresa she is a very strong-willed woman. She is a good example of a genuine Catholic femminist: rooted in the Word of God, faithful daughter of the Church, bride of Christ, defender of the weak and the helpless, protector of children and the unborn.

Being a celibate nun Sis. Mary Pilar Versoza, RGS is a 'virgin' but by her mission of defending and protecting life she has truly become a 'mother' - a life-giver.

THANK YOU LORD FOR PRO-LIFE PHILIPPINES. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A DEFENDER LIKE SIS. PILAR VERSOZA.