My childhood memories will never vanish, the flashbacks when grandmother held my hand gently as we strode down the Old San Juan City Wall. Just a few minutes where the Servants of Saint Mary is presently located. During Colonial time, this building, the Servant of St. Mary, was the Hospital of the Immaculate Concepcion. Every Sunday after mass, we'd both strolled down Cristo Street just having the time of my life, hearing the echoes sound of those blue cobblestone, the beauty of the colorful buildings with the wooden balconies, the interior Patios that allowed the open breeze to circulate as we often played dodge ball as kids. My Grandmother had been a devoted catholic throughout her entire lifetime. It was her deep passion, and her life depended heavily on daily prayers and attending mass several times a week.
She always had the highest regards and respect for the Nuns of El Convento de Las Siervas De Maria. As a nine-year-old my curiosity sparked a feeling inside my soul, to learn about the lives behind these remarkable women, known as the Servants of St. Mary.
Since 1887, the Convent of the servants of St. Mary located on a stunning hilltop overlooking the harbor of Old San Juan. The picturesque view of the mountains, A place where my grandmother had cherished since her early childhood. She often shed stories on the lives of such incredible nuns. We all sat together and from our balcony and listened attentively to the stories, so eloquent as she carefully recited every word like a poet.
I could not take my eyes away on the most beautiful chapel ever seen. I wistfully watched over the images of the paintings, the altar so beautifully adorned with glass-stained windows, the most beautiful place I have ever seen. As we sat down on the old rustic wooden chair, she silently mentioned the name of the founder of the congregation, she pointed were Santa Soledad Acosta remained were kept hidden just below a small organ at the very top, today it continues to remain a sacred sanctuary.
From the next-door room one could hear the voices of ailing women being cared by the nuns. It was a sign of joy and an uplifting moment in my young life to watch the smiling expressions on their faces. The devotion and care, but more importantly the commitment had gone just far beyond than being there present. Forty-five years have drifted so fast like the clouds of the skies whirling to the speed of light. The building still stands beautifully today as it did the moment I walked inside as a young child. always has rekindled my memories, my feelings incarnated as I peer through the window from beyond Yes, my grandmother so proudly watching from above with joy and happiness.
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