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Biography

Sister Rose standing in front of white flowers

I was baptized into the Catholic Faith with my given name Marieta Catubay Bacal. I was born in Sabang Suribao, Borongan, Eastern Samar, Philippines.

I am the second child out of 7, and we were raised in a very spiritual home led by my mother and father. Since we were poor, and my beloved mother was very religious, I was taken to the convent to live, serve the Lord and to be educated when I was six years old. My life in the convent was full of grace, where I increased my knowledge of God. I learned moral character, humility, obedience, loving kindness and forgiveness. During those years, I grew in my faith for the Lord, and I willingly became a Novice, the first step to become a Nun. My passion was helping my fellowman and in the early ages of my life, I worked hard to offer my service to the Lord. My life in the convent was a very happy one. Sister Fran became my confidant and she was always there for me in the tough times when I missed my parents and siblings.

While I was in the convent, my mother died from a heart attack and my father was killed for someone else’s political gain. I became an orphan at 17 years old. At this time, I was asked to take care of my siblings. Since I was raised in the convent and still a child myself, I did not have the knowledge to raise my siblings. Deciding whether to stay or leave the convent to raise my siblings, was a great struggle for me. In the end, I did my best to raise my brothers and sisters. During this time, I had to take a lot of different jobs, just to put food on the table for my siblings. It was a very hard life, but I believed God had a plan for my life and this was just a hurdle to get over.

..."With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

—Matthew 19:26

I was very fortunate, with the grace of God, to come to America. However, I lost all contact with my brothers and sisters.

God granted me an opportunity to adopt my son and I named him, Noel Bacal, whom I am very proud of. He is a very loving, caring, respectful, and full of dreams. Through the Grace of God, he is a very successful chef. He is very healthy and very happy with his wife and job. I am very happy to know that his love for me and my husband is genuine. I can’t thank God enough for his blessings in my life. Praise the Lord! Amen!

God blessed me with a wonderful husband who is kind, handsome, caring and above all my best friend. He showed me God has not forgotten me. He is a great listener and concerned about my needs. He helped me regain contact with my family and he made us whole again. He also helped me acquire education to become a licensed CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) and a Massage Therapist and I was able to land a good job. He has given me the freedom to be who I want to be. During the last few years, I adopted children to help them succeed in the Philippines. Also along the way, I have opened my heart and home to the homeless.

Now my life has taken another turn. I had the strong desire to go back into the convent. My husband generously gave me a house to make into a chapel, so now I can return to the ministry of the Lord full time.

The focus of my ministry will be:

Glorify the Lord Chapel has become my calling.

— Sister Rose