What is the Vocation?

To prepare for Cenacle life and ministry, a woman is helped in attaining her own integration and religious identity by the Cenacle Formation Program. The program provides personal formation through on-going spiritual direction, individualized plans of study and supervised experiences. The nature of her apostolate demands continuing formation throughout her life.

A woman interested in the Cenacle life receives personal direction and preparation before her acceptance to the pre-novitiate. This period prepares her for formal entrance to the novitiate which usually lasts for two years.

Requirements for admission include the following general norms:

A sense of being called by God
Enthusiasm for the Congregation’s service for the Church
A genuine desire to accept and cooperate with the formation offered
Freedom from family or financial obligations
Sufficient physical capacity
Psychological and emotional balance
The capacity for healthy interpersonal relationships in community life and in the ministry
Experience in assuming responsibility
The completion of a college degree or the equivalent in education

Vocation Direction Program

A vocation direction program is offered either at the Cenacle or in other places arranged between the vocation directress and interested groups. Any young woman interested in considering her own future directions, and at the same time, learning something about Cenacle life, is welcome to join this program. It includes talks/seminars, life direction retreats, vocation discernment retreats and ongoing spiritual direction. Personal prayer, reflection and individual consultation are essential parts of these programs.

Our Founderess

The Cenacle Sisters was founded in La Louvesc, France, in 1826 by Saint Thérèse Couderc

and Father Stephen Terme. Though only twenty-three years old, he appointed her superior of the community of sisters he brought to La Louvesc to provide lodging for women (pilgrims) coming to the shrine of St. John Francis Regis, a Jesuit saint famous in France at that time.

Over time, the hostel became known as a welcoming haven for women.

A realisation that these women needed prayer and spiritual guidance to prepare them for the remainder of their pilgrimage led to the building of the first Cenacle Retreat House. Thus began the ministry of helping people awaken and deepen their faith and to make Jesus known and loved.

After the death of Father Terme, Sister Thérès continued the ministry.

Sister Thérès died on September 26, 1885 and was canonised on May 10, 1970. The true testimony of her life is the legacy of her mission that continues through her Cenacle family: Cenacle Sisters, Cenacle Auxillaries, and Cenacle Affiliates/Companions. Today there are around 500 Cenacle sisters in 15 nations (USA, Canada, Brazil, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Togo, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Singapore).

Father Stephen Terme

Our Sisters in Singapore

Sr. Maria Nerissa “Bubbles” Bandojo, rc

Sr. Bubbles, rc is a Cenacle Sister from the Philippines. She has been a religious for 37 years. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University in Manila.

As a Cenacle Sister she has been engaged in the ministry of formation and leadership. She has also journeyed with people and various groups through the ministry of retreats and spiritual accompaniment. She is happy and grateful to be missioned in

Singapore at this time.

Sr. Yna Oñate, rc

Sr. Yna S. Oñate is a perpetual-professed sister of the Cenacle. Before joining the Cenacle, she has worked in a government corporation as a systems analyst, being an Industrial Engineer by profession. She joined the Cenacle in 2007.

Prior to her assignment here in Singapore, she was assigned in Manila and Cebu in the Philippines, and then recently, in Macau, where she volunteered with the Pastoral Care Centre for Migrants, ministering mainly to Filipino migrants. Here in Singapore, she joined ACMI as Formation Coordinator, in the Pastoral and Formation department, in June 2023.

Sr. Yna holds a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from the Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola School of Theology. The Cenacle Sisters’ ministry of “awakening and deepening of faith” through retreats spiritual direction and integral human formation allows her to listen to personal stories of a wide range of people, and to accompany them on their journey toward self-acceptance and growth in their relationship with God.

Sr. Christine (Kriz) Lam, rc

Sr. Christine (Kriz) Lam, Singaporean.

She is recently assigned back to Singapore after 11years of religious formation and service mostly in Manila, Philippines. She attained her Masters of Arts, major in Pastoral Ministry: Family Ministry and Counseling at the Ateneo De Manila University, Loyola Schools.

Prior to her joining the convent, Christine served 13 years in the corporate world and was actively involved in both RCIA and NCC in her parish, Church of the Holy Family.
Her current ministries include retreat work, giving formation programs

and spiritual accompaniment.

Our Vocation Stories

Sr. Christine Lam (Kriz)

My vocation story begins with a search for oneself & deep desire to want to give myself completely to something / someone.. eventually as we know now, I found my rest & peace in God.
I had many good experiences in life. With the blessings from God, I had a fast progressing career, the money & freedom to do all that I desired, some good adventures / regular travels and a few boyfriends along the way.

In all these endeavours, & more, what remained constant was the presence and generosity of God. One who protected & cared for me especially in difficult times of my life. Of course, this Almighty God need not reveal himself as such but he did, out of great love for me.

By the early 30s, many questions were popping in my head:
- is this (all that I thought I wanted) called happiness?
- where is my life going?
- how do I make a return to this good God?
- am I growing? am I using all my gifts? are there more gifts undiscovered?

I was, for many years, serving already in church ministries - particularly RCIA. I embarked in missionary projects. But I sense within me a calling to something more. I didn't know what, where or how.. except to stay faithful to what I was already given.

When I met the Cenacle Sisters in yr 2009 in a silent retreat in Chiang Mai, I received healing and from there I had a great desire to give myself to God. But I was not ready to give it ALL yet. Very much like the rich young man, I had come to Jesus with a desire but then walked away sad.. the stirring within my heart was so constant that I had to try again, but failed each time to say a complete YES to Jesus. This movement in prayer happened over 9 months till finally, I made an agreement with the Lord. “1 yr is all that I can give. I will suspend my credit cards, give away my car, park my cash into my parents’ retirement fund and hang my career. Then Jesus, do whatever you wish with me" and I left for Manila in year 2012. “What's there to lose?” I thought to myself. “Except for money, I will gain clarity, international exposure and meet people. If I'm not accepted by the Cenacle, maybe God wanted me to see something in the Philippines.”

Life was never the same ever since. Deeper Healing began. Through Spiritual Direction and intensive formation of the heart, I met God in my brokenness, who loves me passionately, accepts me unconditionally, and forgives me completely.

He didn't tell me to change.

He just showed me how uniquely and wonderfully made I am.

Reclaiming my blessedness was the ultimate gift!

Thereafter, I knew what I needed to do with my life: a reorder of my lifestyle, my perspective of self and others, my priorities because I don't wish to lose this gift to anything or anybody - ever again.

My faith journey in the Cenacle is somewhat like that of Easter stories: awakening and deepening.
Like the disciples, rooted in our own culture & tradition, I needed to relearn who this Messiah really is.. how can the cross / suffering bring me life, is conflict always bad... what does it mean to love (what are my expectations of love)... is harmony at all cost, the highest value?

Very often, I feel overwhelmed by life's challenges especially caught in interpersonal dynamics, I am invited to return to my Galilee - the first encounter of Christ and experience of my first true love.

I still do not often make the right choices. But that's the beauty of the Cenacle - the gathering of a community of enthusiastic learners. To listen to and re-learn from Jesus the new meaning of God's Reign. It is where I dare to say "I am indeed slow of heart, teach me Lord".

End my sharing with this note:
My vocation is a response to the healing love and gentle touch of God. Because of this personal experience with Jesus, I desire to give myself fully to his mission: to go and tell others of this Good News.

‘To enter the Cenacle is to enter the heart of God.’ – Pope Paul VI

Sr. Xiao Wei

I heard about the Cenacle sisters while I was in Singapore and had encountered one who gave a talk once. But it was only when I was in Manila and was really looking for a spiritual companion that I had the courage to make a call for an appointment to see a Cenacle sister.

Having a guide on my journey gave me space to explore questions about my life’s direction. One of the questions that I knew I had been wanting to avoid and run away from, was whether I was called to consecrated life. I had felt restless when my attraction to consecrated life was left unaddressed and I knew it was something I had to explore. It took me some growing up and courage before I could talk about this with my spiritual companion and to eventually explore religious life in the Cenacle. I saw how I was helped to grow in my relationship with myself, with others and with God through the Cenacle, and how growth is something I believe each person is constantly called to.

As I continue to journey in and with the Cenacle sisters, I begin to appreciate more deeply what the Cenacle meant for me as well as for others.

‘To enter the Cenacle is to

enter the heart of God.’

– Pope Paul VI