In the midst of heartbreak and uncertainty, I found solace in the gentle embrace of Our Lady. I wish to share with you my personal encounter with Her when I chose to stay in Sampaloc.

Back in 2018, I went through a painful breakup that left me feeling lost and shattered. Desperate for strength and healing, I turned to the Lord in prayer. Almost daily, I would visit my home Parish, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (in Valenzuela City), pouring out my heart and asking for Mother Mary’s intercession. I prayed not just for healing and peace of mind but also for a new job where I could grow and find purpose again. True to her promise, Our Lady never disappoints.

One morning, out of the blue, I received a text message from the HR office of NU Nazareth School inviting me to do a teaching demo. It felt like a sign, though I had no idea how they even got my number. I’d decided to stay away from teaching after a rough experience at my previous job. Still, I showed up for the demo.

It wasn’t smooth sailing. I had prepared a presentation ahead of time, but during the demo, I was assigned a completely different topic. To make things even more interesting, another applicant, Rico, was assigned the topic I had prepared for. Instead of panicking, I handed him my presentation and worked on something entirely new with the time I had left. To my surprise, the next day, I got another text from someone in HR—her name was “Fatima.” The coincidence sent chills down my spine. I had been hired! It felt like Our Lady herself was orchestrating everything, guiding me back into teaching and into a place where I could begin again.

At first, I was anxious about returning to the academe. Would I fit in? Would I heal from the wounds of my past? But God had other plans. My new workplace happened to be near the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, and it wasn’t long before I found myself drawn to her again. I started serving in the parish, distributing Holy Communion to the sick and elderly during the pandemic, and becoming deeply involved in parish life. In 2022, I was blessed to serve as the Parish Hermano, a role that challenged me but also allowed me to experience the depth of Our Lady’s love and protection. With her guidance, we even established the Frassati Society Philippines, responding to the needs of the poor and the youth.

Through it all, Our Lady has been my rock. She healed my broken heart and gave me purpose again. Her intercession has touched not only my life but also the lives of my students and young friends, many of whom have found joy in serving the Church. Now, even though I live overseas, my heart remains with her in Sampaloc. My heart aches at not being able to witness in person the Pontifical Coronation of Our Lady of Loreto — a long-awaited recognition of her grace and love. Yet, I rejoice knowing that this historic occasion will bring spiritual blessings to the people of Sampaloc and her devotees around the world, a fitting tribute to Our Lady who has blessed us with her unceasing care.