Beads of grace

How Praying the rosary became a Channel of blessing and Grace in My life

- Nadine Racadag as told to Imy Eulin

While kids my age were frolicking in the rain, carefree about the world, I was kneeling, head bowed every 6:00 p.m. praying the rosary—a ritual I learned at school when I was six years old.

A Daily Habit

From preschool to first grade, I studied at St. Rita College, a Catholic school in Parañaque run by nuns. At a young age, I memorized lengthy prayers. I grew up religious—praying the rosary daily and going to Mass every Sunday even when alone and unaccompanied by my parents.

During my teens, I usually hung out at the Landayan Church and always carried a rosary around—tucked in my bag or my pocket.

At first, my religious inclinations all seemed to be just passed-down traditions. The succeeding events in my life, however, proved to be affirmations of my naive devotion. So growing up, I continued praying the rosary daily, lifting up to God all my concerns, joys, and miseries.

Religious Vocation

In high school, I entered Colegio San Agustin, another Catholic school. Around this time, I became interested to become a nun like the Augustinian nun, Sister Maria.

After graduation, I told my mother about my plans. But her response was far from enthusiastic. “Ikaw na nga lang ang sandalan ko, iiwan mo pa ako,” she said in tears.

She said this because my father worked abroad. His meager income was not enough to cover our expenses. As the eldest of five, I carried the responsibility of putting food on the table.

Consequently, I didn’t pursue my dream of entering the religious life. Through Mama Mary’s intercession, I laid my life before God and trusted Him to bring me eventually to my destined vocation.