ON THE PATH OF LIFE

In this opportunity I want to present the testimony of Nancy Patiño, Systems Engineer, about her it could be said that she grew up in a Catholic family, has 2 siblings and considers herself one of God's spoiled

She comments that, as a child, when she was on her way to school, she felt like going into church, and saying a little prayer. Regarding her spiritual life, she states that "I have always had that affection for God, and I have experienced the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and other Saints from Heaven."

She traveled to Australia to study English, where she stayed for a year. She says that "God is putting people who are opening doors, and they are helping one without knowing it." There she attended the Sunday Eucharist in an Italian neighborhood, and she used to attend the Rosary of dawn. She missed her family, and she did not feel very comfortable, so she decided to return to Colombia.

She met Father Miguel Triana through Teresita Delgado, who was her secretary, and began attending Retreats. She later joined the Catholic Action of Employees and Professionals called "ACEP", the Council of Laity, and the group of Diocesan Auxiliaries, led by Yolanda Sedán, and who later came to replace her.

She comments that this experience made her fall in love with God, with the church, and with the things that are happening. She considers that Father Miguel was a very complete being in every aspect, and that he was a Saint.

She had several Boyfriends, but the things with the people she met did not happen to formalize a marriage.

Some years later she traveled to a rural area where she stayed for 3 and a half years. She arrived at a farm, where there were 3 houses, one was a Retreat House, in another an emeritus Bishop lived with his family, who later left, and the family in charge of the farm lived in the third house. Nancy moved to the Retreat House, and she remained alone, she lived very content. She administered it, organized it, and received withdrawals. She had a Chapel, and for Mass she attended the village church. The farm belonged to a Religious Community.

Her job was basically to help other people meet God. She met various peolpe with different spiritualities, and also sadly met people as she says: “with his back to God”. In this Center, Priests attended (they were dying), and later they looked for Laity.

About her experience on her mission, she comments that she has lived great experiences, she has been in Chocó, in areas of Guerrillas, Paramilitaries, and in areas with a lot of wealth, very happy people, despite the fact that they had suffered for a lifetime. She believes that God led her to those places. Many things that seemed impossible and difficult turned out well, she with joy has seen that the Communities are building a safe path, and they have been rid of numerous diseases. At present Nancy collaborates with Priests in a Foundation, which serves children at risk. They provide food, homework support, and spiritual guidance. They pray with everyone respecting their creeds.

This testimony I received from Nancy, on September 9, 2020.

God is wonderful, and the most beautiful companion on the road, on the path of life, but he always respects our freedom, and willingness to accept it.